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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
Conservation Organizations Oppose Weakening Roadless Rule Protections for the Tongass National Forest
In a comprehensive comment letter to the U.S. Forest Service , three conservation organizations, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Defense
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Peru Leads on New Regional Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade
Delegations for Latin American and North American countries met on October 10th in London to commit to future engagement on the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT), including poaching in Latin America, and to assess the potential for future coordinated action in the region.
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Trump Administration Waives Environmental Laws to Build Border Wall through Texas National Wildlife Refuge
The Trump administration has announced that it will waive 28 federal environmental, planning, historic preservation and public safety laws in Hidalgo County, Texas, in an
Humboldt Martens Proposed for ESA Protection
Sristi Kamal, senior Northwest representative at Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement: “Today U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the right decision to recommend
Trump Administration Cuts Law Enforcement on National Wildlife Refuges
Jamie Rappaport Clark , Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement: “Federal law enforcement officers protect wildlife and habitat throughout the
jcovey@defenders.org
