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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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grizzly bear in Alaska
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.
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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Washington, D.C.

House Vote Scheduled on Ending Gray Wolf Protections, Undermining the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives is expected this Thursday to vote on ending gray wolf protections, prematurely delisting gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act before

Press Releases

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Golden-cheeked warbler
Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Texas

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.   
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Monica Goldberg
Washington, D.C.

Monica Goldberg Named Vice President of Landscape Conservation

Defenders of Wildlife has named Monica Goldberg the new Vice President of Landscape Conservation. She is responsible for overseeing Defenders' work to promote landscape-scale wildlife conservation, focusing on federal public lands management, private lands conservation, climate change adaptation and wildlife-responsible renewable energy development.
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Ocelot running

Tragic Loss of Ocelot May Still Bring Hope for Future

Thanks to the efforts of scientists and veterinarians in multiple states and facilities, the death of a wild Texas ocelot may someday spark new life.
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Northern Spotted Owl Perched on a Tree - Green Diamond Forest - Korbel - California
Washington, DC

Biden Administration Proposes Withdrawing Trump Rule on Spotted Owl Critical Habitat

In a victory for northern spotted owls, the Biden administration is proposing a massive overhaul of a Trump administration rule that eliminated 3.4 million acres of potential critical habitat for the species.
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Bioreserve tourism signage for endangered parrots
Tamaulipas, MEXICO

Defenders of Wildlife Partners with Local Mexican Government to Educate the Public About Endangered Parrots

Their striking green plumage with flashes of blue and metallic-yellow in flight make the military macaw an inspiring sight for anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the IUCN-listed vulnerable and U.S. Endangered Species Act listed species.
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
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268