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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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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.
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2019.07.02-Landscape of Black Spruce Pines-Danielle Brigida-USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Launches New Website for Land Trusts to Identify Federal Resources for Habitat Conservation

Defenders of Wildlife’s private lands team today launched a first of its kind, online tool that allows land trusts to match their unique wildlife conservation needs with federal assistance programs. The tool, dubbed WALT: Wildlife and Land Trusts, is a one-stop-shop for helping land trust staff understand the programs, find the right fit for their land trust’s goals, and get contact information for the appropriate federal staff.
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2015.10.05 - Polar Bear Mother With Cub - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Alaska - Debbie Tubridy
Washington. DC

Indigenous Leaders, Environmental Organizations Applaud Biden Administration Announcement to Cancel Trump Issued Oil and Gas Leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Today, the Biden administration announced that the Department of the Interior is canceling the last remaining oil and gas leases on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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2021.09.08 - Black Bear - Bitterroot Trail Cam - DOW.JPG
LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON

Washington City Receives New Tools to Reduce Conflict

Defenders of Wildlife purchased 40 bear-resistant cans that swapped standard garbage cans this week in areas with frequent bear conflicts as part of a pilot
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Lone horseshoe crab
Charleston, SC

Charles River Laboratories, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and Conservation Groups Announce Agreement to Enhance Protections for Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.; the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR); Gault Seafood, LLC; Marsh Point Farm, Inc.; and the Southern Environmental Law
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