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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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Wood Duck
Washington, D.C.

DOI Announces $78 Million in Funding for Wetland Conservation and National Wildlife Refuges

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced that $78 million in grants were approved to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conserve or restore nearly 500,000 acres habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other migratory birds across North America.
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A 100 lb adult male wolf was GPS radio-collared in the Mt Emily unit
Portland, Ore.

Oregon’s Wolf Population Continues to Increase Despite Poaching, Conflicts

Oregon is now home to 22 confirmed wolf packs, according to the state’s annual wolf report. The report, released by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), shared that the total wolf population was reported at an estimated173 wolves. This is an increase of 15 individuals, and 17 of the 22 packs contain breeding pairs.
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Yellowstone bison released at Ft. Peck Reservation
Helena, MT

Tribes, Conservation Groups Urge Veto on Anti-Bison Bills

A group of Montana tribes and conservation groups sent a letter to Governor Gianforte today, urging him to veto a pair of state bills that will undermine reintroduction efforts of wild bison to Montana.
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Sun through grasses
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Chauvin Trial

Defenders of Wildlife’s President & CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark released a statement in reaction to a Minnesota jury finding former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts in the death of George Floyd.
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Grizzly Bear on the Bridger-Teton National Forest
Missoula, MT

Federal Court Halts Proposed Rock Creek Mine in Montana’s Cabinet Mountains

The federal district court in Montana on Tuesday invalidated the federal government’s approval of the first phase of the Rock Creek Mine, a major copper and silver mine proposed beneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness in northwest Montana.
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