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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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Stalking red wolf
Washington, DC

Defenders Thanks President Biden for Endangered Species Act Proclamation Marking 50th Anniversary

As the Endangered Species Act marks its 50th anniversary today, Defenders of Wildlife thanks President Biden for issuing a Presidential proclamation in support of this
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Gray foxes in Verdugo Mountains California - NPS
VENTURA COUNTY, California

Appeals Court Upholds Ventura County Programs to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity 

A new program that increases protections for wildlife corridors throughout southern California’s Ventura County has prevailed after a three-judge panel agreed with the county and
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-Marsh in Doty Ravine
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Newsom Signs 30x30 Law, Committing California to Biodiverse Future

Defenders of Wildlife applauds California Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing into law State Senate Bill 337 — a measure that commits to conserving 30% of
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Banggai cardinalfish
Washington, DC

U.S. Proposes Ban on Imports, Exports of Banggai Cardinalfish

NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposed rule to ban the import and export of threatened Banggai cardinalfish, following a 2021 petition from conservation groups
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2017.12.26 - Green Sea Turtle Swimming in Pacific Ocean - Hawaii - Shane Myers-Alamy Stock Photo
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

A Landmark Victory Enhances Protection of Sea Turtles’ Habitat

Beaches along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida support the largest aggregation of nesting loggerhead sea turtles in the world. Within this range
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