California

California Fish and Game Commission Finds Mojave Desert Tortoise Status Warrants Uplisting to 'Endangered' Under California Endangered Species Act

SAN JOSE, California – Defenders of Wildlife, the Desert Tortoise Council and the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee applaud the California Fish and Game Commission’s unanimous
Image
A pygmy rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis) feeds on sagebrush during the winter on Seedskadee NWR
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds BLM’s Conservation and Land Health Rule that Modernizes Land Management

In a win for wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today published a new rule designed to correct a long-standing imbalance that had subordinated conservation to oil and gas development and other extractive activities to the detriment of wildlife and natural places. Despite their importance for conserving biodiversity in the United States and globally, only 14% of BLM lands receive adequate protections and most are open to extractive uses.
Image
Red Wolf - B.Bartel-USFWS
Washington, DC

Congress Urged to Spend $857 Million to Fully Fund Endangered Species Protection

More than 115 conservation groups urged Congress today to significantly increase the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s budget for endangered species conservation from $329 million

Press Releases

Image
Headshot image of Jamie Clark
Washington, D.C.

Clark Announces Change at Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark today announced her decision to step down from her position in 2024. Clark has served Defenders for 20 years, including the last 13 as president and CEO.
Image
North Atlantic Right Whale

House Interior Appropriations Bill Slashes Funding for Imperiled Species, Eviscerates Endangered Species Act Protections

The U.S. House of Representatives just passed an atrocious Interior and Environment funding bill for FY24, which slashed funding for imperiled species, eviscerated longstanding protections
Image
By Evelyn Lichwa
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Female Mexican Gray Wolf Reported Outside of Management Area

Defenders of Wildlife issued the following statement on a female Mexican gray wolf sighted crossing Interstate 40, outside of the Mexican Gray Wolf Experimental Population
Image
2022.05.20 - Green Sea Turtle on Beach - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge - Hawaii - Percy Ulsamer-USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Slams McClintock, Newhouse and Graves Anti-Wildlife Bills Ahead of House Hearing

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries today will hold a hearing on three anti-wildlife bills. The
Image
gulf of mexico whale
washington dc

Defenders and Others Deplore GOP Bill That Would Gut Protections for Critically Endangered Gulf of Mexico Rice’s Whales

House Republicans will consider a bill today introduced by Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) that could prohibit vital Endangered Species Act protections for critically endangered Gulf
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
hhammer@defenders.org
(202) 772-0295
Communications Specialist
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243