Image
2006.09.02 - Cotton Grass - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Steve Hillebrand, USFWS.jpg
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Seeks Permanent Safeguards for One of America’s Last Wild Places

Defenders of Wildlife today applauds the introduction of the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, a crucial step toward permanently safeguarding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from
Image
2021.08.11 - Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge - Federal Lands Team Tour of Wildlife Refuges - Barb Buchholz.jpg
Washington, D.C.

Department of Interior’s “Emergency Declaration” Suppresses Public Input and Strips Safeguards for Endangered Species

Last night, the Trump administration announced emergency procedures to fast-track oil, gas, and mining projects on national lands. The emergency procedures remove opportunities for meaningful
Image
Andre Johnson / iStock Photo
Washington, DC

Defenders Endorses Bills to Secure a Future Against Offshore Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife today endorsed a suite of bills introduced in Congress to safeguard U.S. coastal waters against the threat of offshore oil and gas

Press Releases

Image
Capitol Building
Washington, DC

Feinstein-Daines Wildfire Bill Would Evade Environmental Laws, Compromise Community Protection

Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced legislation yesterday that would fast-track unsustainable logging, increase wildfire risk and jeopardize community safety. The measure
Image
Southern_Resident_Orca
Seattle, Wash.

Lower Snake River Dams Should Stay Standing, Say Federal Agencies

This week, federal agencies again ignored science and public opinion in a management plan for federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. The plan, a final environmental impact statement (EIS), applies to 14 dams and reservoirs that comprise the Columbia River Hydropower System. Research shows that four dams in particular – located on the lower Snake River – negatively impact the recovery of endangered Pacific salmon and southern resident orcas as a result.
Image
Polar Bears
Washington, DC

Administration Limits Protections for Endangered Wildlife Habitat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have proposed a new regulation that will redefine “habitat” and weaken protections for imperiled species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Image
North atlantic right whale
Washington, DC

U.S. House Adopts Amendment Adding $1.5 Million to Right Whale Funds

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment to the fiscal year 2021 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill, increasing funding for monitoring and researching the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale by $1.5 million.
Image
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle South Padre Island, Texas
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas

Cuts to Sea Turtle Recovery Program Will Hurt Species

In June, a report published by the National Park Service recommends decreasing funding for the Padre Island National Seashore Sea Turtle Science and Recovery (STSR) program, even while no alternative funding plan is in place.
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
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
zklein@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268