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Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,400 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Roaming mountain goat
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.

Press Releases

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Growling wolverine
Missoula, MT

Lawsuit Launched Over Federal Refusal to Protect Wolverines

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied protection today to the rare and elusive wolverine under the Endangered Species Act, prompting a coalition of conservation groups to announce their intention to file a notice of intent to sue as soon as the final rule is published in the Federal Register.
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Bodie Hills, California wildflowers sage
SACRAMENTO

Newsom Executive Order Sets Biodiversity, Working Lands Protection Goals

Today, Governor Newsom signed an executive order (EO) focused on protecting California’s biodiversity and natural working lands.
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Swainson's hawk (NPS)
Washington, DC

Congress Urges Interior Dept. To Abandon Reinterpretation of 100-Year-Old Law Protecting Migratory Birds

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), today, joined with House colleagues Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Francis Rooney (R-FL), and 48 other House Members in calling
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2018-From-Mulholland-overlooking-Gillette-Ranch-wildfire-CA-NPS

How Climate Change Impacts Fires in the West

The U.S. is facing a deadly record-breaking fire season, with nearly 70 (down from 128 two weeks ago) wildfires burning across 12 states.
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North atlantic right whale
Charleston, SC

Seismic blasting efforts halted in Atlantic Ocean

A status conference on seismic litigation revealed today the industry will not pursue efforts to employ seismic blasting to search the Atlantic Ocean for offshore petroleum deposits this year, and possibly for several years.
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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268