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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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By Miles Ritter
SEATTLE

Sighting of New Baby Orca Reported

A new Southern Resident orca calf is reported to have been born into L-pod recently and we are working to confirm the sighting. The calf
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Robert Dewey, VP of Government Relations for Defenders of Wildlife presents Rep. Joe Neguse with the Spirit of Defenders award
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Recognizes Rep. Joe Neguse with Spirit of Defenders Award

For his work championing national policy aimed at stemming the joint climate and biodiversity crises, Defenders of Wildlife has recognized Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) with the Spirit of Defenders award for Public Service.
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Ashley Overhouse
LODI, CA

Overhouse Recognized for Next Generation Leadership Award in Bay Delta Work

At its annual benefit, “Where the Future Flows,” the Restore the Delta organization honored Defenders of Wildlife Water Policy Advisor Ashley Overhouse with the Next
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Gopher tortoise
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Restoration of Automatic Endangered Species Act Protections for Threatened Species

In a highly-anticipated decision impacting our nation’s imperiled wildlife and their habitats, the Biden administration today released a re-write of damaging Trump-era Endangered Species Act regulations.
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By T. Johrendt
ALASKA

Court of Appeals Finds Izembek Refuge Land Exchange Case Moot

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated an earlier decision that would allow the Department of the Interior to grant private companies road access
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