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Laura Nunes
Washington, D.C.

Defenders’ Laura Nunes Named to Prestigious ESIIL Working Group

Defenders of Wildlife scientist Laura Nunes has been selected to join the Environmental Data Science Innovation & Impact Lab’s third cohort of working groups.
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Bobcat
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Partners with Rep. Don Beyer on Monumental Corridors Act

Defenders of Wildlife today celebrated the introduction of the Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026, a landmark bill that would establish a national framework for identifying, designating and protecting wildlife corridors across the country.
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Wild Red Wolf
Washington, D.C.

House Leadership Pulls Historic Vote Following Intense Public Pressure

The GOP Leadership in the House of Representatives today pulled its scheduled vote on Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) ESA Amendments Act of 2025 — more aptly called the Extinction Act.

Press Releases

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Oil in the water after BP oil spill June 2010
Lake Charles, LA

Groups File Third Intervention Defending Pause on Federal Oil, Gas Leasing

Conservation groups moved today to intervene in a lawsuit defending the Biden administration’s decision to pause new federal oil and gas leasing while it reviews the government leasing program.
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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Seattle, Wash.

Washington’s Wolves Increase, Despite Recovery Obstacles

Washington is home to at least 132 wolves and 13 breeding pairs, according to the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan 2020 Annual Report
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Stikine-LeConte Wilderness Area, Tongass National Forest
Washington, DC

Biden’s Climate Leadership Summit Calls for Immediate Action

Earth Day is apropos for President Biden to hold his first-ever virtual Leaders Summit on Climate. Attended by 40 world leaders, this two-day summit underscores
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Climate Strike DC Wide Shot Capitol Lawn
Washington, DC

House Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Outdoor Access, Imperiled Species Habitat

Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) reintroduced a bill today to authorize funding for the Legacy Roads and Trails Act.
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Banggai cardinalfish
Washington, DC

U.S. Wildlife Officials Petitioned to Ban Import, Sale of Banggai Cardinalfish

Conservation groups filed a petition today urging NOAA Fisheries to ban the import and sale of threatened Banggai cardinalfish from Indonesia. The Banggai cardinalfish, a coral reef inhabitant known for its bold black bands and white-speckled fins, has seen its numbers plummet by as much as 90 percent since the 1990s, due to decades of overexploitation by the aquarium trade.
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