Image
greater sage grouse
Washington, D.C.

Final Rescission of Public Lands Rule Reverses Modern Land Management, Threatens Wildlife Habitat

The Bureau of Land Management today announced a decision to roll back the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the Public Lands Rule. The policy modernized how BLM manages our national public lands and represented the critical incorporation of ecological resilience into management alongside traditional resource extraction. The rule required science-based decision-making, conservation considerations within multiple land uses and a focus on sustaining public lands for the long-term benefit of wildlife and the American people.
Image
wind farm
Washington, D.C

Trump Administration Cancels Critical Offshore Wind Projects and Increases Costs for Taxpayers

The Department of Interior this week announced that two offshore wind companies, Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind, have abandoned their developments. According to reports, the companies received some $900 million to walk away from the projects.
Image
Laura Nunes
Washington, D.C.

Defenders’ Laura Nunes Named to Prestigious ESIIL Working Group

Defenders of Wildlife scientist Laura Nunes has been selected to join the Environmental Data Science Innovation & Impact Lab’s third cohort of working groups.

Press Releases

Image
Eastern Bluebird
Washington, DC

Retired Communications Professionals Blast U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Press Release

According to PEER, 10 prominent retired public affairs, communications and outreach professionals have criticized their former agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), for violating press relations norms and fairness policies in a complaint to the Inspector General.
Image
Mexican Gray Wolf
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Despite Increase in Mexican Wolf Count Numbers, Recovery Challenges Remain

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the official Mexican gray wolf population count for 2019.
Image
Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Juneau, AK

Federal Court Rules Against Massive Old-Growth Rainforest Logging Plan in Alaska

A federal judge today rejected an enormous commercial timber harvest and road-building plan for Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska.
Image
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Governor Signs Crucial Bill Prohibiting Wildlife Trafficking

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham officially signed the Wildlife Trafficking Act (SB 75) that prohibits wildlife trafficking and allows New Mexico to prosecute offenders.
Image
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Washington, DC

New Study Shows Federally Protected Lands Reduce Habitat Loss and Protect Endangered Species

Scientists at Defenders of Wildlife and Tufts University have discovered that habitat loss in the U.S. was double on private lands compared to federally protected lands.
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