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Single manatee under water  swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Raleigh, North Carolina

Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation

North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.
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Sea otter with head poking above the water near kelp
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Urges Public Opposition to NOAA’s Planned Review That Could Weaken California’s Authority to Protect its Coastline

NOAA will review California's Coastal Management Program following a directive from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Defenders of Wildlife urges public participation in upcoming public meetings to protect California's coast, wildlife, and state authority.

Press Releases

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Bald eagle
Washington, DC

Interior Department Needs Leadership, Not Reorganization

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, will testify before the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations today at 10:00 a.m.
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Southern_Resident_Orca
Seattle, WA

WA Legislature Funds Key Orca-Saving Measure

With support from Governor Inslee and 43 legislators in the House and Senate, the Washington State legislature included funding in its final state budget to convene a stakeholder forum recommended last fall by the Governor’s Southern Resident Orca Recovery Task Force.
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Ocelot looking up
Tucson, AZ

Final Jaguar Plan Inadequate For Recovery of Species in U.S.

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released their final recovery plan for the jaguar. This plan, dated in 2018 but just released today, comes over two decades after the cat was granted protection under the Endangered Species Act and does not allot enough suitable habitat for recovery in the United States.
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Ocelot
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Releases Report Detailing Consequences of Proposed Natural Gas Facilities on Ocelot Recovery

Defenders of Wildlife has published a new report, Potential Impacts of Proposed Liquified Natural Gas Facilities on Ocelot Recovery in Texas, which details the effects three proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in the Brownsville Ship Channel would have on the future of ocelot recovery in the United States.
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Red wolf eyes
Washington, DC

On Earth Day, Defenders of Wildlife's President and CEO Says Wildlife Faces 'Unprecedented Challenges'

Jamie Rappaport Clark, former president and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife, released the following statement on Earth Day 2019 – Protect our Species: “On Earth Day, we must recommit ourselves to saving endangered species from extinction."
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243