Image
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife
Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
Image
Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
Image
Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues
The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
Press Releases
Image
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.
Image
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
Image
Cook Inlet Beluga Population Estimate Points to Need for More Action
Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration updated its population estimate for Cook Inlet beluga whales at a median best estimate of 331 beluga whales
Image
Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Mexican Gray Wolf Release
Defenders of Wildlife Southwest Program Director Bryan Bird issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service release of Mexican gray
Image
Bill to Provide Lasting Protections for Tongass National Forest, Roadless Areas Nationwide Introduced By Rep. Gallego (D-AZ)
Today, Representative Gallego (D-AZ) and Senator Cantwell (D-WA), along with 15 other lawmakers, reintroduced the Roadless Area Conservation Act (RACA). This legislation would codify the
jcovey@defenders.org
