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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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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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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
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Defenders applauds BLM’s move to maintain land protections in Alaska
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today finalized its decision to retain environmental protections on 28 million acres of habitat critical to salmon, moose and
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Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Andrew Bowman as New President and CEO
Marking a new chapter for the organization, Defenders of Wildlife today welcomed Andrew Bowman as president and CEO. Defenders announced Bowman’s selection in May of
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Defenders’ Statement on Reckless Energy Permitting Proposal in Senate
Defenders of Wildlife opposes the latest attempt to shortchange our nation’s landmark environmental laws and allow oil, gas and other extractive industries to harm wildlife
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California’s Burrowing Owls One Step Closer to State Protections
In response to a March 2024 petition by conservation groups, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has found that protecting the western burrowing owl
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Defenders of Wildlife Opposes Disastrous House Interior Appropriations Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its Interior and Environment appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 by a vote of 210-205. Defenders of Wildlife opposes this anti-wildlife bill which includes steep funding cuts and an immense number of anti-wildlife riders.
jcovey@defenders.org
