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House to Vote on Gutting Bedrock Endangered Species Act
As the nation celebrates Earth Day this week, the House of Representatives will cast an historic vote on a bill to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, which was enacted more than 50 years ago to protect America’s wildlife from extinction.
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Washington State 2025 Wolf Count Increases, Depredations Decrease
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife today released the state’s 2025 minimum count for gray wolves at 270 individuals, a 17% increase from 2024
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Oregon Releases 2025 Annual Wolf Count, Numbers Up
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today issued its 2025 gray wolf annual report, announcing an increase in the wolf population for a new
Press Releases
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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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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.
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Defenders of Wildlife Condemns Racist Act at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This week, Defenders of Wildlife joined 51 other conservation and outdoor recreation organizations in sending a letter to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash condemning the recent racist act that took place at the entrance of the park’s Foothills Parkway.
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Gov. Newsom Approves Two Critical Environmental Protection Bills
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 1788, the California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2020 and earlier this week approved the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (Senate Bill (SB) 587).
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Federal Agencies Finalize Lower Snake River Dam Management Plan
This week, federal agencies finalized a management plan for federal dams in the Columbia River Basin through a Record of Decision (ROD). The plan applies to 14 dams and reservoirs that comprise the Columbia River Hydropower System, including four dams in the lower Snake River.
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jcovey@defenders.org