Image
Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress

Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
Image
Joshua tree sunset
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Sues FWS Over Extensive FOIA Request Delays

Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the agency’s extensive delay in fulfilling eight Freedom of Information Act requests related to land exchanges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Image
08.22.25 - Bear backlit 2 -  Lake Clark National Park - Running Wild Media.jpg
WASHINGTON, DC

Trump Administration Turns its Back on Wildlife – Again

The National Park Service today proposed a regulation that would abdicate the agency from its responsibility to manage wildlife in Alaska’s national preserves and to

Press Releases

Image
baby desert tortoise in shell
San Francisco, CA

Lawsuit Launched Over Federal Project Threatening Desert Tortoises, Other Imperiled Species in California Deserts

Environmental groups filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the Interior Department, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for authorizing activities in the California Desert Conservation Area that are driving desert tortoises and other threatened and endangered species toward extinction.
Image
Mojave Desert Tortoise, Mojave Max, on stones
Los Angeles, CA

Lawsuit Targets Trump Administration’s Last-minute Pipeline Approval for California Desert Water Grab

Conservation groups sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today for granting a right-of-way to Cadiz, Inc. to push billions of gallons of water through a mothballed oil-and-gas pipeline that crosses Mojave Trails National Monument and other protected public land in southeastern California.
Image
OR-13, a female gray wolf of the Wenaha pack
Portland, Ore.

Oregon Investigates Deaths of Five Wolves

Five wolves were found dead in the Mt. Harris area of Union County, Oregon. The Fish and Wildlife division of Oregon State Police are currently conducting an investigation into this unusual mortality event. The cause of death is currently unknown.
Image
western snowy plover chicks and egg
Sacramento, CA

Victory for Oceano Dunes State Park, Imperiled Wildlife

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously last evening to amend the permit for the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area to phase out off-highway vehicle (OHV) use over the next three years.
Image
Hate Has No Home Here

Defenders Condemns Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans

Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across the country have faced an alarming deluge—more than 3,800—of hate-related incidents, which include verbal abuse and violent attacks, since March 2020. After shootings in the Atlanta area this week killed six women of Asian descent—people nationwide are sharing their support of solidarity with AAPI communities, including Defenders of Wildlife. President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark released a statement.
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