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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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Gray wolf howling on a snowy hill
Denver, CO

Defenders Responds to CPW Director Recommendation to Deny Petition to Suspend Wolf Reintroduction

Colorado Parks and Wildlife today announced that Director Jeff Davis has delivered a recommendation to the CPW Commission to deny the Middle Park Stockgrowers’ Association’s
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Swamp Lined with Trees at Okefenokee NWR
Washington, DC

Defenders Applauds Okefenokee Nomination to UNESCO World Heritage List

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a more than 400,000-acre wetland supporting hundreds of plant and animal species, is set to be nominated to join the
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2011.06.20 - Mojave Desert Tortoise - Mojave Desert - California - Nate Rathbun.jpg
ST. GEORGE, UTAH

Decades-Long Highway Fight Ends with Victory for Red Cliffs NCA

Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) signed a Record of Decision to deny a right-of-way for the
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Captive Red Wolf at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Columbia, NC

New Federal Grant For U.S. Hwy 64 Crossings Could Save Endangered Red Wolves And Other Wildlife

The Federal Highway Administration announced today that the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation will receive $25 million to build new wildlife crossing structures on U.S. 64 to help save the endangered Red Wolf from extinction.
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2009.04.10 - Florida Panther Traffic Sign - Heidi Ridgley - DOW
St. Petersburg, Fl.

Defenders Statement on 2024 Florida Panther Road Deaths

Defenders of Wildlife today responded to media reports claiming that 2024 has tied the record for number of Florida panthers killed by vehicles. Elizabeth Fleming
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