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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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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.
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2006.03.28 - Alexander Archipelago Wolf on Boulder - Alaska - John Hyde-Wild Things Photography
Sitka, Alaska

Rare Southeast Alaska Wolf One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Alexander Archipelago wolves in Southeast Alaska may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act and started
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
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mdewane@defenders.org
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jcovey@defenders.org
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(202) 772-3268