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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In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to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.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Raleigh, North Carolina

Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation

North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.

Press Releases

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Horseshoe Crabs
Charleston, SC

State-sanctioned Horseshoe Crab Confinement Threatens Shorebirds

Defenders of Wildlife and a group of conservation organizations are preparing to sue the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Charles River Laboratories for penning horseshoe crabs in manmade ponds during spawning season, a practice that imperils a threatened migratory shorebird, the red knot, which feeds on the eggs.
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Chinook Salmon make their way up ship creek to spawn.
SEATTLE, Wash.

WA Governor, Senator Announce Process to Assess Feasibility of Lower Snake River Dam Removal

In a joint statement, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) recently laid out a new plan to combine state and federal resources to assess the impacts and costs of breaching the four lower Snake River dams.
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Shortfin mako shark
Washington, DC

Countries Undermine the Shortfin Mako’s Chances of Survival at Recent ICCAT Meeting

In a disappointing development, Wednesday’s International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) panel meeting failed yet again to advance negotiations which would provide shortfin mako sharks with the protection they need.
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Capitol Building
Washington, DC

Build Back Better Contains Many Wins for Wildlife and Combatting Climate Change

After months of negotiations, today, the House leadership released a near-final version of the Build Back Better Act, a core piece of President Biden’s agenda.
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California condors in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Washington, DC

Biden To Reverse Two Harmful Trump Rules That Limited Endangered Species Act Protections

The Biden administration announced it is reversing two harmful Trump administration rules that undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the bedrock law that protects our nation’s wildlife from extinction. Broadly, the two rules had altered the way critical habitat is designated.
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