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Rice's Whale
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Slams Unlawful God Squad Vote to Strip Endangered Species Act Protection from Wildlife in the Gulf

Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes today’s vote by the Endangered Species Committee, or God Squad, to condemn species to extinction in the name of a fictitious “national security emergency.”
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Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of
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Willet
Washington, D.C.

Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf

In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Press Releases

Court upholds Endangered Species Act protections for Cook Inlet beluga whales

State of Alaska’s challenge to “endangered” status of whales rejected ANCHORAGE, Alaska (11/21/2011) - A federal judge today rejected the state of Alaska’s 2010 lawsuit

House and Senate unite under legislation to protect America’s wild and pristine roadless forests

WASHINGTON (11/17/2011) - On the heels of a landmark Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a broad group

New legislation prepares Americans for extreme weather and changing climate

SAFE Act protects communities, wildlife and natural resources from uncertain future Summary: Across the country, the impacts of climate change are taking a toll on

Obama administration protects Atlantic from harms of drilling, leaves Arctic vulnerable to devastating oil spill

WASHINGTON (11/08/2011) - The Obama administration today announced its Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017. The following is a

Groups file lawsuit to prevent illegal deaths of endangered whales

Fishing gear continues to be major killer of whales in North Atlantic BOSTON (10/31/2011) - Conservation and animal protection groups filed a lawsuit today asking
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