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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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More Than 270 Groups Urge Senate to Increase Endangered Species Funding
In the face of growing concerns over the global wildlife extinction crisis, more than 270 conservation groups today urged the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
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Trump Administration Paves Way for Old-growth Clearcutting in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest
The Trump administration today announced plans to gut long-standing protections against logging and road-building in the Tongass National Forest, a cherished old-growth temperate rainforest in Southeast Alaska and homelands of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people.
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Defenders of Wildlife Reacts to Retirement of Environmental Champion Rep. Lowey
Defenders of Wildlife reacts to retirement announcement of Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.).
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New U.S. Forest Service management proposals threaten endangered wildlife, ecosystem of Thunder Basin National Grassland
Today, the U.S. Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for Thunder Basin National Grassland containing management alternatives designed to strip vital protections that vulnerable native species depend on, placing ranching interests over wildlife conservation.
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Groups sue EPA for paving way for hazardous industrial mine
More than a dozen groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency today for failing to protect Alaska fisheries, wildlife, jobs, communities, and ways of life from
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