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Polar bear on beaufort sea ice
Washington, DC

Trump Proposal Puts America’s Most Vulnerable and Valuable Coastal Resources in the Crosshairs

Protected areas across United States coasts are in the sights of a new oil and gas drilling proposal released on Thursday by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
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A Canada lynx runs through a snow covered ground. Only the front half of it's body shows in the photo, filling the frame. The lynx is looking up.
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Seeks ESA Regulatory Rollbacks, Risks Accelerating Extinction for America’s Most Vulnerable Wildlife

In a move that could accelerate the extinction crisis we face today, the Trump administration today proposed significant changes to the regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act, which, for more than 50 years, has served as the backstop to America’s most imperiled wildlife.
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2011.06.21 - Caribou Roaming Across Field - Alaska - Lois Epstein.JPG
Washington, D.C.

House Votes to Overturn Conservation Protections in Alaska

The United States House of Representatives today approved resolutions under the Congressional Review Act to remove Biden-era protections from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

Press Releases

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Climate Strike DC Wide Shot Capitol Lawn
Washington, DC

Interior Appropriations Includes Wins, Losses for Biodiversity

The House Committee on Appropriations will consider spending for Interior and Environment for fiscal year 2022 this morning. The spending bill includes both wins and losses for biodiversity. In the face of losing 1 million species to extinction, Defenders continues to advocate for increased levels of funding to support threatened and endangered species, and we are particularly disappointed in the low levels of funding for the main U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program responsible implementation of the Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, the bill also includes some important wins for wildlife.
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Climate Strike DC Wide Shot Capitol Lawn
Washington, DC

Groups urge inclusion of Legacy Roads and Trails Program in Infrastructure Package

As Congress considers infrastructure packages to Build Back Better, conservationists urge legislators to include authorization and funding for the Legacy Roads and Trails program that will address the crumbling road infrastructure on national forest lands and ensure that the road network can sustain an increase in the recreating public as well as the effects of a changing climate. Groups are pleased to see authorization and funding of the program included in infrastructure proposals.
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Gray Wolf
Seattle, Washington

Female Wolf Illegally Killed in Washington State

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed that a female wolf was illegally killed in northeast Washington in May. According to WDFW biologists, the wolf is believed to be the breeding female from the Wedge Pack.
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Black bear in moss covered forest
Colville, Washington

New Food Storage Lockers Improve Safety, Visitor Experience in Grizzly Country

This summer, land managers and conservationists are installing a new tool to increase safety for visitors and wildlife in the 1.5million-acre Colville National Forest.
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Banggai cardinalfish
Washington, DC

Biden Administration Urged to Release Critical Records on Wildlife Imports

More than 20 groups urged the Biden administration on Friday to release wildlife import and export data hidden from the public since 2015. The data
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
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mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
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jcovey@defenders.org
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