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Two Southern Appalachian Brook Trout underwater and surface
Washington, D.C.

House Set to Vote on Misleading Bill Blocking Regulation of Lead Ammunition on Federal Lands

The United States House of Representatives is expected this Wednesday to vote on H.R. 556 – Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025.
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2023.11.19 - Pinyon Jay in tree - Topaz Lake, Nevada -  by JC Bleam.jpg
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

First-of-its-Kind Study Sheds Light on Forest Thinning Impacts on Pinyon Jays

Though the pinyon jay population continues to decline at alarming rates, until now the threats facing it remained largely under-researched. Defenders of Wildlife, along with
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green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Press Releases

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USFWS
ARIZONA

 Arizona Fish Predating ESA to be Delisted, Population Recovered 

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove federal protections under the Endangered Species Act for the Apache trout, deeming it a restored
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brown mink looks out from under rock and grass
Chapel Hill, NC

Historic Settlement Secures Conservation of Endangered Red Wolves in the Wild

Conservation groups and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a historic settlement to recommit to the conservation and recovery of the world’s only
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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.
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