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swimming manta rays
Fort Myers, FL

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Tightening Protections for Listed Species

Defenders of Wildlife welcomes today’s action by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to end open permitting for the capture of ESA-threatened marine species in Florida waters for public display and exhibition purposes.
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NARW
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Legal Intervention Aims to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Ship Strikes

Conservation groups today filed a motion to intervene to help fight a lawsuit aimed at overturning a seasonal speed rule protecting North Atlantic right whales from deadly vessel strikes. The groups want to defend the rule against a lawsuit brought by a New York vessel owner fined for violating seasonal speed limits. The suit alleges that NOAA Fisheries lacked the statutory authority to issue the rule.
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greater sage grouse
Washington, D.C.

Final Rescission of Public Lands Rule Reverses Modern Land Management, Threatens Wildlife Habitat

The Bureau of Land Management today announced a decision to roll back the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the Public Lands Rule. The policy modernized how BLM manages our national public lands and represented the critical incorporation of ecological resilience into management alongside traditional resource extraction.

Press Releases

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Canada Lynx
Washington, DC

New Forest Service Rulemaking Must Address the Threats of Climate Change

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its comments to the U.S. Forest Service as part of a public comment period to inform new policies that improve
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Grizzly Bear Family at the River - Gibbon River - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - Sam Parks
Washington, DC

Defenders Opposes Amendments That Undercut Endangered Species Act in Interior Appropriations

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations today took up the Interior and Environment funding bill for the FY24. As proposed, the bill drastically decreases the necessary funding for important wildlife conservation programs across the country.
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By  Joshua Able
ARIZONA

Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Reinstated to Threatened Species List

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl will be relisted as a threatened species, after being taken off for
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Gray Wolf Howling in Snow - Montana
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Flabbergasted by Anti-Wildlife Politicians’ Baseless Claims in ESA 50th Committee Hearing

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries today held a hearing stacked with anti-wildlife politicians making baseless claims attacking the landmark Endangered Species Act, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
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Green sea turtle hatchling at Archie Carr NWR
Washington, DC

60 Percent of Threatened Species Lack Conservation Plans That Address Climate Change Risk According to New Defenders Research

A new Defenders of Wildlife study published today in Biological Conservation finds that 60 percent of US animal species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act lack conservation plans from the US Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Services that address the risks of climate change.
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