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Piping Plover
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Sends Notice of Intent to Sue the Trump Administration over Rescission of ‘Harm’

Defenders of Wildlife today sent a letter to the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce signaling its intent to sue over the administration’s rescission of the long-standing definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
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Pygmy Rabbit
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Raises Concerns Over Proposed BLM Rule That Would Roll Back Land Health and Grazing Safeguards

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted comments on the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed livestock grazing regulations, urging that healthy public lands and robust public participation in land management must be a priority.
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Single manatee under water  swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.

Press Releases

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Wildlife Crossing Bridge Over Two Lane Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park
Portland, ORE.

Oregon Legislature Designates $7 Million for Wildlife Crossings

In a first for the state of Oregon, state policymakers approved $7 million dollars in funding for building and maintaining wildlife crossings in the state.
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Caribou on tundra in NPR-A
Washington, D.C.

200,000 Say No to ConocoPhillips' Massive Willow Project

Today, more than 200,000 comments from throughout Alaska and across the country were submitted to the U.S. Interior Department and Bureau of Land Management opposing
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Greater sage grouse, Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, Wyoming
Washington, DC

Congress Defies Science, Includes Sage-Grouse Rider in Appropriations, Again

Top negotiators in Congress announced that the greater sage-grouse rider will be included in this year’s final FY2022 appropriations bill.
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Kyiv subway station serves as a shelter for thousands of people.

In Solidarity with Ukraine

Like so many others around the world, we at Defenders of Wildlife are deeply saddened by the acts of war unfolding in Ukraine and our hearts go out to everyone affected by these horrific attacks. Our mission is wildlife, but there are many organizations whose mission is to help the people impacted by war and violence. Today we lend our voice to them.
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Martha Williams
Washington, D.C.

Martha Williams Confirmed as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director

Martha Williams was confirmed as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Jamie Rappaport Clark, former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife and former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1997-2001), issued a statement.
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