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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife
Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
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Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues
The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
Press Releases
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Interior Authorizes Transfer of 560 Acres of Public Lands for Military Use
The Department of the Interior has authorized a transfer of 560 acres of federal land to the U.S. Army for military use along the U.S.-Mexico
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Over 1,600 Scientists Call for Conservation Funding to Solve the Biodiversity Crisis
Today the prestigious journal Science published a letter entitled “ Solve the biodiversity crisis with funding,” coauthored by scientists at Defenders of Wildlife and universities
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Congress Fights Back Against Trump-Bernhardt Extinction Plan
Today, Reps. Grijalva (D-AZ), Dingell (D-MI) and Beyer (D-VA), and Sen. Udall (D-NM), introduced bills to reverse the Trump administration’s attack on the Endangered Species
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Statement on North Atlantic Right Whale Death
Yesterday, a dead North Atlantic right whale was discovered four miles south of Fire Island inlet near Long Island, New York.
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Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy Awarded $100,000 to Support the Eastern Hellbender Salamander
The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (ARC) has received a $100,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) that will be used for programs that help conserve and protect the eastern hellbender salamander. ARC and conservation partner Defenders of Wildlife contributed $50,000 each in matching funds for a total conservation impact of $200,000.
jcovey@defenders.org
