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Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island

In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
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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.
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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.

Press Releases

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Western bluebird on tree branch
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Outraged as Interior Department Halts Progress on Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protections

The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced it is halting efforts to finalize key protective measures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act—the nation’s landmark
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Wolverine on a rocky slope
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Wolverine Receives Much-Needed Endangered Species Act Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will protect the wolverine population in the lower 48 states as threatened under the Endangered
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A Mountain Landscape, featuring Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina
Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina General Assembly appropriates $2 million for wildlife crossings

In honor of Road Safety Week, the Safe Passage Fund Coalition applauds the North Carolina General Assembly for appropriating $2 million in funding for infrastructure
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Mojave Desert Tortoise
St. George, Utah

Defenders and Allies Respond to BLM Announcement on Highway through Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

Update of 3pm ET 11/16/2023: The U.S. District Court issued an opinion, irrespective of BLM’s announcement, affirming the need to reconsider approval of the highway
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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
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