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Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,400 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
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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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Roaming mountain goat
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.

Press Releases

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Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs
Charleston, South Carolina

Horseshoe Crab Harvest Stopped in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued its final compatibility determination halting the commercial harvest of horseshoe crabs in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
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Mike Senatore headshot
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Announces Mike Senatore as New Senior Vice President of Conservation

Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to welcome Mike Senatore back to the organization as Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs. In this role, Mike will oversee Defender’s conservation science, legal and policy strategies.
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Female lesser prairie-chicken
Washington, DC

Defenders Horrified by House Vote to Push Northern Long-Eared Bat and Lesser Prairie-Chicken Closer to Extinction

In a tragic pair of votes today, the U.S House of Representatives pushed the Lesser prairie-chicken and the Northern long-eared bat closer to extinction by denying them urgently needed Endangered Species Act protections.
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A Mountain Landscape, featuring Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina
Asheville, N.C.

Conservation Groups Prepare for Lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

A coalition of conservation groups sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service signaling their intent to sue unless officials fix the glaring flaws in
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20230725 - Ocelot on trail camera - profile left - Jason Miller-https---www.youtube.com-@JasonMillerOutdoors
Sierra Vista, Arizona

New Footage of Ocelot Reminder of Need for Habitat Protection in Arizona

A wildlife trail camera recently captured footage of an ocelot roaming the Huachuca mountains of southeastern Arizona. The July 2023 video by wildlife hobbyist Jason Miller is exciting for conservations that hope to expand protections in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.
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