Image
2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife

Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
Image
A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
Image
Three sea otters float in the water. There are hills or mountains in the distance in the background.

Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues

The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.

Press Releases

Image
red-cockaded woodpecker sitting in tree
Washington, DC

Groups Applaud Forest Service Proposal to Conserve Old Growth Forests

A group of conservation, sporting, and forest stewardship organizations lauded the U.S. Forest Service for announcing a historic proposal to conserve old-growth forests through proactive
Image
Wolf from Wapiti Pack walks through Hayden Valley
Denver

Defenders Celebrates Return of Gray Wolves to Colorado

A decades-long vision came to reality today when Colorado Parks and Wildlife reintroduced five gray wolves in Grand County, marking the official beginning of the
Image
2017.02.06 - Gray Wolf in a Snowy Forest - Montana - wesdotphotography-Alamy Stock Photo
Denver

Defenders of Wildlife Lauds Court Decision on Returning Gray Wolves to Colorado 

Defenders of Wildlife was in court yesterday to defend Colorado's historic effort to reintroduce gray wolves to the state in a lawsuit filed by Gunnison
Image
2021.03.27 - Gray Wolf Laying in Snow - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - John Morrison
Denver

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Suit to Block Gray Wolf Reintroduction

Defenders of Wildlife went to court today to defend Colorado's historic effort to reintroduce wolves to the state in a lawsuit filed by Gunnison County Stockgrowers’
Image
2014.06.27 - Two Caribou - National Petroleum Reserve Alaska - Bob Wick - BLM.jpg
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Calls on BLM to Keep 28 Million Acres Out of Future Extraction Activities

The Bureau of Land Management today released its draft review assessing whether to retain Public Land Orders protecting areas of land totaling the size of
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243