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2021.08.11 - Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge - Federal Lands Team Tour of Wildlife Refuges - Barb Buchholz.jpg
Washington, D.C.

Department of Interior’s “Emergency Declaration” Suppresses Public Input and Strips Safeguards for Endangered Species

Last night, the Trump administration announced emergency procedures to fast-track oil, gas, and mining projects on national lands. The emergency procedures remove opportunities for meaningful
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Andre Johnson / iStock Photo
Washington, DC

Defenders Endorses Bills to Secure a Future Against Offshore Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife today endorsed a suite of bills introduced in Congress to safeguard U.S. coastal waters against the threat of offshore oil and gas
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2012.03.13 - Manta Ray Gliding Over a Reef - Kevin Lino - NOAA.jpg
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on Trump Rollback Opening Marine Monument to Fishing Industry

On Thursday, April 17, the Trump Administration issued a proclamation calling for the opening of commercial fishing in waters of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine

Press Releases

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Southern Resident Orca Calf

Southern Resident Orcas Receive Oregon Endangered Species Protections

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to protect Southern Resident orcas under the state’s Endangered Species Act, responding to a February 2023 petition
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A dead right whale floating about 20 miles offshore of Tybee Island, Georgia on February 14, 2024. Two sharks swim close by.

Critically Endangered Whale Dies Due to Inaction of Biden Administration

The North Atlantic right whale reported dead on Feb. 13 off the coast of Georgia was likely hit and killed by a vessel strike, NOAA
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 Adult Male Florida Panther in Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
Washington, DC

Federal Court Strikes Down EPA Approval of Florida Wetlands Program 

A federal court ruled in favor of environmental groups today, determining that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) violated
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A dead North Atlantic right whale is seen stranded at Joseph Sylvia State Beach in Edgartown, Mass. Found on Sunday, the whale is a juvenile female, a devestating loss to the population.
Washington, DC

Fishing Gear That Killed Endangered Right Whale Traced Back to Maine Fishery

NOAA Fisheries today announced that the fishing gear entangling the body of a juvenile female North Atlantic right whale that washed ashore on Martha’s Vineyard
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Piping Plover sitting on beach with chick
Washington, DC

Defenders Staunchly Opposes “ESA Flexibility Act” Which Would Gut Imperiled Species Conservation Efforts

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries today will hold a hearing on the ESA Flexibility Act, a bill that if passed would catastrophically undermine key foundational elements of the Endangered Species Act.
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
zklein@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268