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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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.
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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Three sea otters float in the water. There are hills or mountains in the distance in the background.

Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues

The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.

Press Releases

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Andrew Bowman headshot
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Announces Andrew Bowman as Next President and CEO

Defenders of Wildlife today announced the selection of Andrew Bowman as its new president and CEO. Bowman brings more than 25 years of conservation and non-profit management experience to Defenders.
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2016.06.01 - Red Wolf Foster Pups Cuddling - Ryan Nordsven USFWS
Manns Harbor, NC

Red Wolf Pups Born in the Wild Give Hope to Critically Endangered Species

“The Milltail pack’s story is one of resilience and has us all rooting for them every day. Every pup born in the wild brings us closer to recovery for the world’s most endangered canid, and is a clear sign that the Red Wolves can survive and thrive if managed properly,” said Heather Clarkson, Southeast representative at Defenders of Wildlife.
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condors
California

President Biden Expands Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to Permanently Protect Molok Luyuk

Defenders of Wildlife applauds President Joe Biden’s announcement that he is using the Antiquities Act to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include
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2020.03.25 - Gray wolf - Oregon - ODFW
Washington, DC

House Passes Bill to Delist Gray Wolves from the Endangered Species Act

In a disappointing defeat for the overwhelming majority of Americans who support the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 209-205 to pass
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Photo of the White House in Washington, DC
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on Biden Administration’s Final Phase II NEPA Regulations

Defenders of Wildlife applauds the Biden administration for finalizing its Phase II National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, released today. The regulations are a significant
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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243