Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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

Image
2011.06.21 - Caribou Roaming Across Field - Alaska - Lois Epstein.JPG

Continuing its Arctic Plunder, Trump Administration Strips Protections in Western Arctic Reserve

The Department of the Interior has gutted protections for millions of acres of ecologically and culturally significant lands known as “Special Areas” in the National
Image
Landscape of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Court ruling lets AIDEA keep Arctic Refuge leases despite legal problems with the leasing program

Today the U.S. District Court in Alaska ruled that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, or AIDEA, can hold onto its oil and gas
Image
2022.08.20 - Mountain Lion - Carson National Forest - New Mexico - DOW.jpg

Defenders Celebrates Historic Wildlife Management Reform in New Mexico

Defenders of Wildlife applauds New Mexico for its historic effort to expand the tools and authority needed to manage all state wildlife, and for renaming
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Re-Establishing Clean Water Act Standards Needed To Protect Vulnerable Ecosystems and Access to Clean Water

Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) introduced the Right to Clean Water Act, SB 601, to safeguard California’s water systems by enshrining into state law previous
Image
2019 - Mexican Gray Wolf - Arizona - Evelyn Lichwa - Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team - FWS.jpeg
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Defenders Statement on Investigation into the Death of a Mexican Gray Wolf

State and federal wildlife officials are offering a more than $100,000 reward in the death of a Mexican gray wolf found near a Forest Service
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