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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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Washington, DC

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled Lesser Prairie Chicken

Conservation groups filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect severely imperiled lesser prairie chickens under the Endangered Species Act.
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Denali Reflection Pond
Washington, DC

Congress Passes Controversial Legislation to Privatize Public Lands 

The federal public lands package also reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
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Mexican_gray_wolf
Albuquerque, NM

Four Endangered Mexican Wolves Caught in Traps on U.S. Forest Service Lands in New Mexico in Last Two Months

Defenders of Wildlife has learned that four more Mexican gray wolves were trapped in New Mexico on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service over the last two months. The four endangered wolves included a breeding-age female that died and a male that was taken into captivity only to have his injured leg amputated. These two wolves are from the Prieto Pack.
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Hill Country State Natural Area in Bandera County
Austin, TX

Texas Judge Upholds Endangered Species Act Protections for Golden-cheeked Warbler

A federal judge in Austin yesterday ruled that the golden-cheeked warbler should remain protected under the Endangered Species Act. The Texas songbird is severely threatened by rampant urban sprawl.
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Bald eagle
Washington, DC

Statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, CEO and president, Defenders of Wildlife on the passing of former Representative John Dingell

“A ferocious, tireless and skillful advocate for wildlife, John Dingell leaves an enduring legacy of groundbreaking protections for the nation’s endangered species, national wildlife refuges and many other aspects of our natural world."
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