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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Olympia, WA

Washington State 2025 Wolf Count Increases, Depredations Decrease

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife today released the state’s 2025 minimum count for gray wolves at 270 individuals, a 17% increase from 2024
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gray wolf
Salem, OR

Oregon Releases 2025 Annual Wolf Count, Numbers Up

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today issued its 2025 gray wolf annual report, announcing an increase in the wolf population for a new
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Offshore Oil Rig
Washington D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Challenges Unprecedented “God Squad” Exemption Allowing Unchecked Gulf Oil Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife today announced it is taking legal action to overturn an unprecedented and unlawful decision by the Endangered Species Committee, known as the “God Squad,” to exempt federal authorizations of oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico through a blanket exemption from the Endangered Species Act’s protections.

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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268