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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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Red Wolf - B.Bartel-USFWS
Washington, DC

New Defenders Poll Shows American Public Overwhelmingly Supports the Endangered Species Act and Biodiversity Protection

New Defenders of Wildlife poll shows the vast majority of Americans, regardless of political party, continue to support the Endangered Species Act as it marks
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Wolf from Wapiti Pack walks through Hayden Valley
Helena, Montana

Defenders Appalled by Montana Draft Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released its 2023 Draft Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan on Friday, October 20th with a 60-day comment period. As
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Horseshoe crabs on beach
Charleston, S.C.

Defenders Joins Forces with Conservation Groups in Suit to Dismiss State Challenge in Cape Romain

The Southern Environmental Law Center has filed a motion to intervene and a motion to dismiss on behalf of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League
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Grizzly bear sow Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone National Park
Missoula, MT

Defenders Applauds Missoula for Strengthening Bear Smart Community Initiative to Further Minimize Human-Bear Conflict

The Missoula City Council last night finalized the decision to expand its bear buffer zone, including new regulations around garbage storage and a bear mitigation
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Spring migration of red knots, Delaware Bay
Beaufort, N.C.

Fisheries Commission Rejects Female Horseshoe Crab Harvest Proposal for Delaware Bay

Conservation groups commended today’s decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to forego a 2024 bait harvest of female horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay
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