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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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grizzly bear in Alaska
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.
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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Washington, D.C.

House Vote Scheduled on Ending Gray Wolf Protections, Undermining the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives is expected this Thursday to vote on ending gray wolf protections, prematurely delisting gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act before

Press Releases

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Belugas
Anchorage, AK

Groups call out Army Corps for negligent review of Pebble’s faulty mine proposal

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a final environmental impact statement for the proposed Pebble mine that fails to address the concerns of scientists
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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Seattle, Wash.

Another Lethal Removal Order Released for Washington Wolves

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today issued another lethal removal order for up to two members of the Wedge pack in the Kettle Range of Washington. The order comes days after WDFW reported new depredations in Stevens County, which lies within the Wedge pack’s territory.
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Royal Tern
Washington, DC

Environmental Groups Push Back Against Destructive Migratory Bird Rule, Proposed Alternatives

The Trump administration is using the “Miracle on the Hudson” event as an excuse to strip protections for migratory birds by undercutting one of our nation’s first conservation laws – the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
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Lassen Pack pups
LASSEN COUNTY, Calif.

Minimum of Eight New Wolf Pups Confirmed in Lassen Pack Count

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has confirmed a minimum count of eight new pups in the Lassen Pack. This is the fourth consecutive year that the pack has produced pups.
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Polar Bear Kiss Exclusive Virtual Background
Washington, DC

New Rule Undercuts NEPA, Putting Wildlife and People at Risk

Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced a final rule eviscerating the long-standing regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In
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