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Piping Plover
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Sends Notice of Intent to Sue the Trump Administration over Rescission of ‘Harm’

Defenders of Wildlife today sent a letter to the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce signaling its intent to sue over the administration’s rescission of the long-standing definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
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Pygmy Rabbit
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Raises Concerns Over Proposed BLM Rule That Would Roll Back Land Health and Grazing Safeguards

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted comments on the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed livestock grazing regulations, urging that healthy public lands and robust public participation in land management must be a priority.
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Single manatee under water  swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.

Press Releases

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Greater Sage Grouse - Wyoming
Washington, DC

Environmental Groups Urge Congress to End Harmful Sage-Grouse Rider

In a letter sent to key House and Senate appropriations committee leaders today, 80 environmental groups, including Defenders of Wildlife, are pressing for the exclusion
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North Fork of the American River from a high bank covered in wildflowers
Sacramento, CA

Drought Package Offers Relief for California’s Wildlife

Today, California State Senate leaders introduced a drought relief package to blunt the impacts of expected water shortages following an extremely dry winter.
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Bald eagle sitting at the top of an evergreen tree
Washington, DC

Congress Introduces Legislation to Protect Wildlife

On April 28, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) introduced legislation to protect wildlife and natural resources from the effects of climate
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Grizzly and cubs crossing road in Yellowstone NP
Island Park, ID

$40,000 Reward Offered Over Illegal Shooting of Mother Grizzly Bear in Idaho

Five conservation organizations are offering rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the illegal shooting of a female grizzly bear in Fremont County, Idaho.
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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.
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243