Image
Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,400 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
Image
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.
Image
Roaming mountain goat
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.

Press Releases

Image
A gulf of mexico whale from the air
Washington, DC

Groups File Petition to Save the Gulf of Mexico Whale from Ship Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife and partners filed a petition today with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) to establish a year-round mandatory 10-knot speed limit and other vessel-related regulations within the core habitat of the Gulf of Mexico whale, south of the Florida panhandle.
Image
Jaguar resting on bank of river
Washington, DC

Now is the Time to Think about Reintroducing Jaguars into the U.S.

A group of scientists say now is the time to talk about reintroducing jaguars (Panthera onca) into the U.S.
Image
Gray wolf howling
Boise, Ida.

Idaho Adopts Persecution Bill for Wolves

Gov. Brad Little has signed SB 1211 into law, which increases money from the Fish and Game Fund to the Wolf Control Fund in order to decrease Idaho's wolf populations.
Image
Mountains of Bridger-Teton National Forest
Washington, DC

Biden Administration "America the Beautiful" Report Emphasizes Importance of 30x30

Statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, former president and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife on the Biden administration’s “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" report, that emphasizes
Image
Washington, D.C.

Groups Call to Halt Removal of Protections for Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers

The Southern Environmental Law Center, in conjunction with Defenders of Wildlife, just sent a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service calling on the agency to halt its efforts to remove protections for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
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