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capitol building at sunset with clouds in the sky
Washington, D.C.

Revised Permitting Bill Fails to Address Threats to Endangered Species Act

Defenders of Wildlife opposes to BAAJA following revisions that leave the bill's most damaging provisions affecting the Endangered Species Act unchanged.
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okee
Washington, D.C.

Fish and Wildlife Review Misses the Mark, Historic Opportunity to Strengthen Refuge System

In response to the FWS review of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Defenders released its own report detailing a crisis downplayed by the FWS.
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Bald eagle at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Wave of Change in Midterm Results Brings Lifeline to Wildlife

A dramatic shift in the majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and in five gubernatorial elections sparks hope for America’s wildlife.

Press Releases

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sage grouse in snow at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
Washington, D.C.

Final Rescission of Public Lands Rule Reverses Modern Land Management, Threatens Wildlife Habitat

The Bureau of Land Management today announced a decision to roll back the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the Public Lands Rule. The policy modernized how BLM manages our national public lands and represented the critical incorporation of ecological resilience into management alongside traditional resource extraction.
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wind farm
Washington, D.C

Trump Administration Cancels Critical Offshore Wind Projects and Increases Costs for Taxpayers

The Department of Interior this week announced that two offshore wind companies, Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind, have abandoned their developments. According to reports, the companies received some $900 million to walk away from the projects.
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Laura Nunes
Washington, D.C.

Defenders’ Laura Nunes Named to Prestigious ESIIL Working Group

Defenders of Wildlife scientist Laura Nunes has been selected to join the Environmental Data Science Innovation & Impact Lab’s third cohort of working groups.
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bobcat climbing rocks
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Partners with Rep. Don Beyer on Monumental Corridors Act

Defenders of Wildlife today celebrated the introduction of the Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026, a landmark bill that would establish a national framework for identifying, designating and protecting wildlife corridors across the country.
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juvenile red wolf peeking out of plants
Washington, D.C.

House Leadership Pulls Historic Vote Following Intense Public Pressure

The GOP Leadership in the House of Representatives today pulled its scheduled vote on Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) ESA Amendments Act of 2025 — more aptly called the Extinction 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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243