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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

Senate Energy Committee Approves Destructive Arctic Drilling Legislation

Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved reconciliation legislation from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that would open the coastal plain of the Arctic

Forest Service Cuts Back Costly Wrangell Island Timber Sale

The Forest Service is downsizing the latest old-growth clearcut on the Tongass National Forest in response to market realities. The Wrangell Island timber sale is

Defenders of Wildlife Report Reveals Toxic Threat to Orcas

Defenders of Wildlife released a report today revealing multiple threats to Southern Resident orcas from pollution in the Salish Sea. These orcas are some of

LEGISLATION OPENS PRISTINE ARCTIC REFUGE TO DESTRUCTIVE OIL DRILLING

Last night, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislative language that would allow destructive oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, making fossil fuel development

New DOI Committee Promotes Trophy Hunting, Not Wildlife Conservation

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is establishing a so-called International Wildlife Conservation Council within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The council will
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