Image
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle is on his way home after being released from a cold-stun rehab center.
New Orleans, LA

Defenders Celebrates U.S. Appeals Court Ruling to Protect Imperiled Sea Turtles from Drowning in Fishing Nets

A federal appeals court upheld the rule requiring shrimp trawling vessels to use turtle excluder devices so that sea turtles can avoid getting caught in nets.
Image
pale gray north atlantic right whale swimming in dark blue ocean with an entangled string wrapped around the top of its head and seen underneath it's lower body
Washington, DC

House Gambles with Survival for North Atlantic Right Whales in Latest Vote to Delay Protections

The House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 9436, a bill that will delay conservation protections for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.
Image
 Izembek National Wildlife Refuge - Izembek Volcanoe
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

District Court Okays Bulldozing a Road to the Doorstep of Izembek Wilderness

A federal district court in Alaska today allowed construction to begin on a 2.8-mile road segment on KCC lands to connect to a 10.5-mile road within Izembek.

Press Releases

Image
Rocky coastline of the Atlantic ocean with native plants in the foreground under a fog
Washington, DC

BLM Oil and Gas Rule Rescission Threatens Wildlife Habitat — and American Pocketbooks

Today, the Bureau of Land Management announced a proposed rule to rescind the 2024 BLM Oil and Gas rule which will significantly roll back bonding requirements for oil and gas companies and reduce public comment periods for drilling applications.
Image
Bald eagle in flight
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils Seven-Story Message in Washington, D.C. Ahead of America 250

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters.
Image
Mexican Gray Wolves
ARIZONA

Mexican Gray Wolf Program Cuts Worsen as Arizona Puts Up New Barriers 

Arizona's legislature passed a bill that would end Mexican gray wolf puppy transfers, undermining cross-fostering efforts critical to the species' recovery.
Image
Regan smyth
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Regan Smyth as Vice President of the Center for Conservation Innovation

Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Regan Smyth as its new Vice President and Director of the Center for Conservation Innovation. Regan brings more than two decades of experience advancing conservation through the integration of science, technology and partnerships.
Image
Caribou migrating through Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Slams Lease Sale in Arctic Refuge

The Bureau of Land Management today opened nine bids on five tracts regarding an oil and gas lease sale on the Coastal Plain of the
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