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Defenders Expands Legal Challenge to Trump Administration’s Assault on Endangered Species Act
Defenders of Wildlife today filed an amended complaint challenging the Trump administration’s escalating effort to dismantle longstanding protections for threatened and endangered wildlife under the Endangered Species Act.
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NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island
In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife
Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
Press Releases
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California’s Burrowing Owls One Step Closer to State Protections
In response to a March 2024 petition by conservation groups, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has found that protecting the western burrowing owl
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Defenders of Wildlife Opposes Disastrous House Interior Appropriations Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its Interior and Environment appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 by a vote of 210-205. Defenders of Wildlife opposes this anti-wildlife bill which includes steep funding cuts and an immense number of anti-wildlife riders.
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Yellowstone Bison Contemporary Plan Allows for Ecological and Cultural Values
Conservation groups offered qualified praise for the new Yellowstone Bison Management Plan after the signing of a final record of decision by the National Park
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Wolves Secure Needed Victory in Washington
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today announced its decision to maintain state endangered status for the gray wolf, keeping in place key protections throughout
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Indigenous Leaders, Environmental Organizations Support Biden Administration Announcement Soliciting Feedback on Expanding and Strengthening Protections for Special Areas in the Western Arctic
Today, the Biden administration announced that the Department of the Interior will seek input on whether to initiate a process to expand existing Special Areas
jcovey@defenders.org
