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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

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Grizzly mother nuzzling her two cubs in a meadow filled with yellow flowers in the Grand Tetons.
Washington, DC

Defenders Responds to Fish and Wildlife Announcement on Bitterroot Grizzly Restoration

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a notice of intent to complete a new environmental impact statement for the reintroduction of the grizzly
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A North Atlantic right whale calf is seen with severe injuries to the head, face and left lip in Edisto, S.C.
Washington, DC

Defenders Demands Biden Administration Action Following Mortally Wounded Right Whale Calf Announcement

A North Atlantic right whale calf with significant head and face wounds has become the 35th “serious injury” case in a years-long series of injuries
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Black-Footed Ferret Poking its Head Out
Washington, DC

Defenders Releases Endangered Species Act Report, Recommendations for Next 50 Years

Defenders of Wildlife’s Center for Conservation Innovation today released a new report “The Endangered Species Act: The Next 50 Years and Beyond.” The report analyzes
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Grizzly bear walking through snow at Grand Teton National Park
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife and More Than 100 Conservation Groups Ask Biden, Congress to Oppose ESA-Riders in Interior Appropriations

Defenders of Wildlife joined more than 100 other conservation groups urging President Biden and Democratic Congressional leadership to oppose poison-pill riders, that undermine the Endangered
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2012.06.10 - Gray Wolf - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - Jim Chagares
Denver

Defenders Responds to Ranchers’ Request to Dismiss

The Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association, Inc. and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association suit to block the reintroduction of gray wolves to the state was dismissed today at
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