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green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress

Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
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Joshua tree sunset
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Sues FWS Over Extensive FOIA Request Delays

Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the agency’s extensive delay in fulfilling eight Freedom of Information Act requests related to land exchanges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Press Releases

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Canada Lynx
Washington, DC

Defenders Urges Biden Administration to Strengthen Endangered Species Act Regulations

With the closure of the public comment period today, Defenders of Wildlife submitted recommendations that urge the Biden administration to undo the numerous harmful changes to Endangered Species Act regulations that were made during the previous administration.
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Christina Selby
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Feds Agree Pinyon Jay to be Considered for Endangered Species List

Defenders of Wildlife applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s determination that there is substantive evidence that the pinyon jay may warrant Endangered Species Act
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By William Krumpelman
TULARE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

New Gray Wolf Pack Discovered in California’s Southern Sierra Nevada

Defenders of Wildlife celebrates the announcement of a newly documented gray wolf pack in California’s Sequoia National Forest. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife
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USFWS
ARIZONA

 Arizona Fish Predating ESA to be Delisted, Population Recovered 

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove federal protections under the Endangered Species Act for the Apache trout, deeming it a restored
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brown mink looks out from under rock and grass
Chapel Hill, NC

Historic Settlement Secures Conservation of Endangered Red Wolves in the Wild

Conservation groups and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a historic settlement to recommit to the conservation and recovery of the world’s only
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