Newsroom

Manatee resting at Three Sisters Springs

July 29, 2021

Tampa Bay’s Catastrophic Red Tide Could Preview Florida’s Future

A large outbreak of highly toxic algae or “red tide” continues to impact Gulf Coast communities in Southwest Florida, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 tons of marine life and fish, including manatees, goliath groupers, dolphins and endangered sea turtles along St. Petersburg and Pinellas County beaches.

Washington, DC

July 29, 2021

Congress Calls for Lasting Protections for Migratory Birds

Today, Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) joined with Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and 47 original co-sponsors to introduce the Migratory Bird Protection Act to reaffirm long-standing protections for migratory birds against industrial take — that is, unintentional but predictable killing of birds.

Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Texas

July 27, 2021

Golden-Cheeked Warbler Not “Out of the Woods” Yet

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reconfirmed that the Texas-native golden-cheeked warbler continues to require the protections of the U.S. Endangered Species Act to prevent extinction.   

Press Releases

St. Petersburg, FL

July 20, 2021

Gov. DeSantis Urged to Declare State of Emergency Due to Red Tide

More than two dozen local businesses and conservation groups today asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency due to the ongoing red tide and fish kills in and around Tampa Bay.

A bald eagle perched in a tree above Fish Creek in Hyder, Alaska

Washington, DC

July 15, 2021

Defenders Applauds Biden Administration’s Move to Protect the Tongass National Forest

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will end large scale old-growth timber sales and move to reinstate the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. The Department will invest $25 million to support to forest restoration, recreation and resilience, including for climate, wildlife habit and watershed improvement.

Carson City, Nevada

July 12, 2021

NGOs Applaud SLUPAC Endorsement of Smart from the Start Concept for Energy Planning

The Nevada State Land Use Planning Advisory Council (SLUPAC) voted on Friday to endorse the concept of a smart from the start approach to energy

Portland, ORE.

July 9, 2021

Oregon Wildlife Officials Expand Protections for Rare Seabird

Defenders of Wildlife and allied conservation groups applaud the action taken by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Commission to uplist the marbled

St. Petersburg, FL

July 9, 2021

Florida Manatee Deaths Break Annual Record with 841 Confirmed

Florida manatee mortality numbers now stand at 841 since the start of 2021, accounting for approximately 10% of the estimated total population of 8,810 animals and breaking the all-time record for annual manatee deaths. The previous record was set in 2013 with 830 casualties. With over five months left in the year, the death toll will likely continue to rise.