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Caribou migrating through Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Slams Lease Sale in Arctic Refuge

The Bureau of Land Management today opened nine bids on five tracts regarding an oil and gas lease sale on the Coastal Plain of the
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Snowy Plover
Washington, D.C.

President Trump Rescinds Long Standing Executive Orders Designed to Conserve Wildlife and Federal Lands from Unmanaged Motorized Recreation

President Trump last Friday issued an Executive Order rescinding EOs 11644 and 11989 which guide the management of ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, jet skis and other off-road motorized vehicles on federal lands. President Trump also ordered federal agencies to rescind or revise regulations that implement the prior EOs.
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wolverine
Washington, D.C.

House Interior Bill Attacks Crucial Protections for Imperiled Wildlife and Public Lands

Defenders of Wildlife today slammed the House Appropriations Committee’s proposed Interior and Environment spending bill for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes numerous damaging policy riders intended to weaken the Endangered Species Act and undermine protections for individual species.

Press Releases

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gray wolf resting in the snow

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Releases Annual Wolf Report

The annual wolf count showed an increase of four individual wolves, five recognized packs, and one breeding pair from the previous year in Washington.
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Giant Manta Ray
Washington, DC

Conservation Groups Announce Intent to Sue to Protect Atlantic Sharks, Giant Manta Rays from Lethal Longlines, Gillnets

Defenders joined others to file notice of intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect oceanic whitetip sharks and giant manta rays from being killed by longlines and huge nets used by U.S. fishermen in Atlantic fisheries.
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vernal pools on Otay Mesa in San Diego County
Sacramento, CA

State Water Board Votes to Implement Comprehensive Wetlands Policy

Today the State Board voted unanimously to adopt a final State Wetland Definition and Procedures for Discharges of Dredged or Fill Material to Waters of the State (“wetlands policy”).
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Red River in New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM

Bill to Create State Wildlife Corridors Action Plan Signed Into Law

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has officially signed SB 228, the Wildlife Corridors Act, which will direct the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the Department of Transportation to develop a Wildlife Corridors Action Plan.
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Emperor geese fly over Izembek Lagoon in Alaska.

Court Rejects Trump’s Backroom Deal for Disastrous Road through Izembek Refuge

The U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska vacated the Trump administration’s agreement to trade away internationally recognized, congressionally designated wilderness wetlands in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to a private corporation.
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