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Piping Plover
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Sends Notice of Intent to Sue the Trump Administration over Rescission of ‘Harm’

Defenders of Wildlife today sent a letter to the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce signaling its intent to sue over the administration’s rescission of the long-standing definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
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Pygmy Rabbit
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Raises Concerns Over Proposed BLM Rule That Would Roll Back Land Health and Grazing Safeguards

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted comments on the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed livestock grazing regulations, urging that healthy public lands and robust public participation in land management must be a priority.
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Single manatee under water  swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.

Press Releases

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NARW
Washington, DC

Defenders: Bill Would Push Critically Endangered Right Whales to Brink of Extinction

On Thursday, the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources is considering H.R. 8704, a bill that would push the
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A Mountain Landscape, featuring Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina
Asheville, NC

Forest Service Abandons Plans to Log Sensitive Area of Nantahala National Forest

In response to a lawsuit from a coalition of conservation groups, the U.S. Forest Service announced it is scrapping plans to log an important area
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Sequoia Trees in the Sierra National Forest
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Opposes Bill Removing Key Protections from Millions of Acres of Public Forests

In advance of its markup by the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, Defenders of Wildlife urges lawmakers to oppose H.R. 8790, the misleadingly named “Fix our Forests Act.” The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA).
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2023.01.05- Right Whale Swimming with Calf-FWC-CC BY NC ND 2.0
Washington, DC

Defenders Condemns Bill Riders Threatening Endangered Whales

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations’ Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee released its appropriations bill for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The
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2019.12.27 - Black Bear Momma with Cub - Tongass National Forest - Alaska - Jen Christopherson - DOW
St. Petersburg, Fl.

Defenders Condemns Passage of Harmful Florida Bear Killing Bill

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made an unfortunate and deadly decision for Florida’s black bears by signing a bill into law that allows state residents to
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