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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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grizzly bear in Alaska
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.
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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Washington, D.C.

House Vote Scheduled on Ending Gray Wolf Protections, Undermining the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives is expected this Thursday to vote on ending gray wolf protections, prematurely delisting gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act before

Press Releases

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USFWS
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Defenders Offers Reward Money After Fatal Condor Shooting

Defenders of Wildlife is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting of an
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By Justin Grubb- Running Wild Media
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Southern Sea Otter Does Not Warrant ESA Listing Change

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week issued its finding that the southern sea otter will retain its threatened status under the Endangered Species
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Male Gray Wolf in Autumn Forest - kjekol - iStockphoto
Washington, DC

Defenders Responds to Highly Anticipated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rule for Colorado Wolf Reintroduction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday released its highly anticipated final Environmental Impact Statement and draft Record of Decision on the Colorado gray
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Wilburforce Recognized with Defenders of Wildlife Legacy Award
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Recognizes the Wilburforce Foundation with Legacy Award

Defenders of Wildlife has awarded its Legacy Award to the Wilburforce Foundation for more than 20 years of exceptional partnership and commitment to conservation science, diversity, equity and inclusion and protecting threatened and endangered species like grizzly bears, beavers and wolves and the habitats on which they depend.
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Biodiversity collage
Washington, DC

Tribal, Conservation Leaders, Congressional Champions Recognized During Celebration of Endangered Species Act’s 50th Anniversary

A group of 30 local, regional and national conservation organizations today recognized the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yurok Tribe, Bat Conservation International, Hawaii’s Plant Extinction Prevention Program, Jane Goodall, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and members of Congress for their major contributions to protecting and supporting the Endangered Species Act and their work to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species.
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