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green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress

Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
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Joshua tree sunset
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Sues FWS Over Extensive FOIA Request Delays

Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the agency’s extensive delay in fulfilling eight Freedom of Information Act requests related to land exchanges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Press Releases

U.S. Forest Service Moves Backwards on Tongass Forest Old-Growth Logging

Today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released a draft Record of Decision proposing the largest old-growth logging project in the nation in decades. The proposal
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Sea otter mom and pup
Washington, DC

Supreme Court Halts Effort to Reinstate Failed “No Otter Zone” in California

The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to review a Ninth Circuit decision that upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s termination of a failed experimental program known as the “No Otter Zone.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had determined the program would harm the California sea otter by excluding the animals from their historic range along the Southern California coast.

WDFW Orders Full Killing of Kettle Range Pack

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today more lethal removal against a pack in the Kettle Range in northern Ferry County. The

MEDIA ADVISORY: First Tribal Buffalo Conservation Summit

What: First Tribal Buffalo Conservation Summit and National Bison Day Celebration When: Nov. 1-3 Where: History Colorado Center, Denver, Colorado (Nov. 1-2); Rocky Mountain Arsenal

The RAW Act’s Flawed Promise for Wildlife

Today, Senators J ames Risch (R-ID), J o e Manchin ( D- WV) , Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Heidi Heitkamp ( D- ND) introduced S
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