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Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,400 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Roaming mountain goat
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.

Press Releases

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Sea otter mom and pup
Monterey Bay, CA

California Sea Otter Fund’s survival in jeopardy

California taxpayers have coughed up a lot of clams for their struggling sea otters over the past four years. Still, the California Sea Otter Fund, a tax check-off program, narrowly missed raising enough money to make the tax form this year.
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Gray wolf eyes Denali AK
Washington, DC

Defenders mourns the loss of FWS Director Sam Hamilton

The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president of Defenders of Wildlife. “Sam Hamilton had made great strides in unifying and
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Mexican_gray_wolf
Albuquerque, NM

Mexican wolf numbers down to 42

Defenders of Wildlife says a scientific recovery plan is desperately needed for Mexican gray wolves.
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Wacissa River and Slave Canal trees
Washington, DC

Some notable gains for wildlife in Obama’s budget

The administration has proposed a serious funding increase for the conservation of wildlife and habitat imperiled by climate change, to the tune of $35 million.
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Wacissa River and Slave Canal trees

Obama's budget includes key funding for land and water

A broad coalition of conservation and recreation organizations today applauded a budget request by President Barack Obama that significantly increases funding for outdoor recreation and strategic land investments through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the federal government’s primary program to protect America’s irreplaceable natural, historic, recreational, and other treasured landscapes.
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268