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Northern Spotted Owl in Tree
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Expands Legal Challenge to Trump Administration’s Assault on Endangered Species Act

Defenders of Wildlife today filed an amended complaint challenging the Trump administration’s escalating effort to dismantle longstanding protections for threatened and endangered wildlife under the Endangered Species Act.
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Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island

In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
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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.

Press Releases

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burrowing owl peeking out of burrow and looking at camera

California Burrowing Owls One Step Closer to Permanent State Protections

The California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted today to protect western burrowing owls throughout California as a “candidate” species under the California Endangered Species
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2023.10.19 - Rio Reforestation - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.jpg
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas

Rio Reforestation Community Planting Event Returns for its 30th Year

The public is invited to help plant native thornforest seedlings during the 30th annual Rio Reforestation community planting event on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event
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2022.02.20 - Pinyon Jays in tree - Antelope Valley West, Nevada -  by JC Bleam.jpg
DENVER, COLORADO

Defenders to Sue for Failure to Respond to Petition to Protect Pinyon Jay

Defenders of Wildlife today notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it intends to sue the agency for its delay in deciding whether the
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2010.11.08-Delta Smelt closeup- Peter Johnsen-USFWS (CC BY 2.0).jpg
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

State and Federal Agencies Cancel Action to Protect Delta Smelt

In California, today marks the start of the new “water year,” the date water managers use to mark the end of the dry season and
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manatee
St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Manatees to Receive Nearly 2 Million Acres of Revised Protected Habitat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday proposed a revised critical habitat plan that would protect 1,904,191 acres of critical habitat for the Florida
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