Image
Mule Deer
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Administration Continues Assault on National Forests, Moves to Gut Rule Managing Off-Road Vehicles

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced its intention to revise the Travel Management Rule governing motorized vehicle use on almost 200 million acres of federal lands.
Image
Charles J. Sharp
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Advances Roadless Rule Repeal at the Expense of Wildlife, Clean Water and Public Will

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released its proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement seeking to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a bedrock law that protects 45 million acres of national forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Image
Running brown bear, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Judge Vacates Land Exchange, Halts Road Through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

A federal judge today vacated an illegal closed-door deal between the U.S. Department of the Interior and a for-profit Alaska Native corporation, King Cove Corp., that exchanged a 10.5-mile corridor of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness lands to enable a road connecting King Cove and Cold Bay.

Press Releases

Image
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.
Image
A Mountain Landscape, featuring Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina
Asheville, N.C.

Conservation Groups Prepare for Lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

A coalition of conservation groups sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service signaling their intent to sue unless officials fix the glaring flaws in
Image
20230725 - Ocelot on trail camera - profile left - Jason Miller-https---www.youtube.com-@JasonMillerOutdoors
Sierra Vista, Arizona

New Footage of Ocelot Reminder of Need for Habitat Protection in Arizona

A wildlife trail camera recently captured footage of an ocelot roaming the Huachuca mountains of southeastern Arizona. The July 2023 video by wildlife hobbyist Jason Miller is exciting for conservations that hope to expand protections in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.
Image
2017.12.26 - Green Sea Turtle Swimming in Pacific Ocean - Hawaii - Shane Myers-Alamy Stock Photo
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

A Landmark Victory Enhances Protection of Sea Turtles’ Habitat

Beaches along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida support the largest aggregation of nesting loggerhead sea turtles in the world. Within this range
Image
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
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