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Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections
The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress
Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
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Defenders of Wildlife Sues FWS Over Extensive FOIA Request Delays
Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the agency’s extensive delay in fulfilling eight Freedom of Information Act requests related to land exchanges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Press Releases
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How Satellite Monitoring and Crowdsourcing Can Stop Habitat Loss
Defenders of Wildlife’s Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) is creating cutting-edge technology to help officials and the public track habitat loss.
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Renee Stone to be Defenders of Wildlife Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs
Today, Defenders of Wildlife announced the appointment of Renee Stone as the next Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs. She will be responsible for overseeing
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Trump Orders Cuts in Regulations that ‘Inhibit Economic Recovery'
President Trump signed an executive order on May 19, directing agencies to identify deregulatory actions to spur economic growth. The order directs agency administrators to
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Trump Administration’s Assault on Alaska’s Wildlife Continues
he onslaught against wildlife on public lands in Alaska continues, this time on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Today, the Trump administration announced a plan to abandon existing federal hunting regulations for brown bears on the refuge, deferring to less protective state regulations instead.
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‘Murder Hornet’ Panic has People Swatting at Native Bees
Officials recently identified two Asian giant hornets, dubbed “murder hornets,” in a small area of Washington State. Just one is capable of decimating an entire colony of honey bees, so if the hornets spread, it could be devastating for bee species native to the United States.
jcovey@defenders.org
