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okee
Washington, D.C.

Fish and Wildlife Review Misses the Mark, Historic Opportunity to Strengthen Refuge System

In response to the FWS review of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Defenders released its own report detailing a crisis downplayed by the FWS.
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Bald eagle at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Wave of Change in Midterm Results Brings Lifeline to Wildlife

A dramatic shift in the majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and in five gubernatorial elections sparks hope for America’s wildlife.
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Canada lynx family
Washington, D.C.

New Defenders Report Analyzes Strengths and Gaps in Section 4(d) Protections for Threatened Species

Defenders of Wildlife today released a report assessing how federal wildlife agencies have applied section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act over the past decade.

Press Releases

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park amazing mountain views
Gatlinburg, TN

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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San Joaquin Kit Fox
SACRAMENTO

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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southern resident orca
Seattle, Wash.

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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Guadalupe Canyon, Arizona

Footage shows Further Border Destruction in Arizona Wilderness

As border wall construction continues along the U.S.-Mexico border, more and more landscapes are being bulldozed and blasted to create even ground for building, including last week near Guadalupe Canyon in the Peloncillo Mountains of Arizona.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Juneau, AK

U.S. Forest Service Moves to Eliminate Roadless Rule Protections in Alaska

The U.S. Forest Service has released the final environmental impact statement for a regulation that will eliminate the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule on the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243