Image
Mojave Desert Tortoise
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Guts Public Comments for Federal Projects

The Trump administration has gutted the National Environmental Policy Act by restricting the public’s ability to participate in government decision-making and understand how our tax dollars are being spent.
Image
US Capitol Building Washington DC
Washington, D.C.

Senate Budget Reconciliation Strikes Heart of American Wildlife, Wild Places

Defenders of Wildlife hammered the Senate’s version of the budget reconciliation bill for striking at the heart of America’s wildlife and wild places.
Image
A Transient orca jumps out of the water, making an arch with its body. It's back half and tail are almost completely covered with a white wave, splash.
Salem, OR

Defenders and Partners Urge Oregon State Action on Wildlife Conservation Bill as Two Senators Block Bipartisan Effort

A landmark bill to fund wildlife conservation in Oregon is being held up in the State Senate, despite passing the House with strong bipartisan support and clearing Senate Rules.

Press Releases

Image
I Voted sticker
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on the 2022 Election Results

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement in response to the preliminary results from yesterday's midterm election:
Image
North atlantic right whale
Washington, D.C.

Emergency Petition Seeks to Shield Right Whale Moms, Calves From Ship Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife and partner conservation groups filed an emergency rulemaking petition with NOAA Fisheries today to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from being struck and killed by vessels in their calving grounds off the coast of the southeast United States.
Image
Juvenile chinook salmon
Sacramento, Calif.

Conservation Groups Prompt Federal Review of San Joaquin River Exchange Contract for First Time in 54 Years

Defenders of Wildlife applauded a decision by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to request a renegotiation of a decades-old use contract for the San Joaquin River that could spark stronger protection for wildlife and drought management.
Image
Right Whale #2360 “Derecha” with Injured Calf January 8, 2020
Washington, D.C.

New Population Estimate Illustrates the North Atlantic Right Whales’ Downward Trend

Today, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium announced that the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale’s population – now at 340, down from 348 – continues its decade-long decline. The species’ population has plummeted by 30% in the last decade, down from 481 in 2011. The latest estimate represents the whale’s lowest population estimate in 20 years.
Image
Gopher tortoise in burrow, Florida
Washington, D.C.

Eastern Population of Gopher Tortoise Denied Federal Protection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that eastern and western portions of the gopher tortoise range meet the Distinct Population Segments criteria. The agency also determined in the species status assessment that the eastern population does not meet the requirements for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
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
zklein@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268