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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

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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Three sea otters float in the water. There are hills or mountains in the distance in the background.

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

Court Finds the National Marine Fisheries ServicemMust take action to protect sea turtles after gulf oil spill

Ruling requires government to reconsider impacts of bottom longline fishing in the Gulf of Mexico Gainesville, Fla. (07/06/2011) - Conservation groups scored a victory in

Polar bear deserves protections of Endangered Species Act, says court

WASHINGTON (06/30/2011) - A federal judge today upheld the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision that the polar bear be listed as threatened under the Endangered

Western Governors’ Association supports improved climate science

Summary: The Western Governors Association today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in support of improving the

Rocky Mountain fishers denied federal protection

Despite serious threats, rare carnivore left to fend for itself BOZEMAN, Mont. (06/29/2011) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined today that fishers in

Oregon passes landmark livestock compensation and wolf coexistence bill

Innovative program will prioritize proactive efforts to reduce conflict Summary: The Oregon Senate gave unanimous approval for a bill today that will put into place
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243