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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 & Inclusion 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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