Newsroom

SACRAMENTO, CA

May 23, 2023

Defenders of Wildlife Opposes Governor Newsom's Latest Bill Package, Citing Concerns for Imperiled Wildlife and Lack of Public Engagement

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a surprise package of “budget trailer bills” late last week designed to limit permitting requirements for contentious projects such as the Delta Conveyance Project and Sites Reservoir. Newsom’s proposal encompasses various topics intended to streamline California’s infrastructure development but, in the process, undermines bedrock environmental laws that protect imperiled wildlife.

Tracy Davids and Heather Clarkson stand behind a Defenders of Wildlife table under a blue tent outside.

Charlotte, North Carolina

May 23, 2023

Defenders of Wildlife Celebrates Red Wolf Conservation on Endangered Species Day

Defenders of Wildlife staff joined communities from the Charlotte, North Carolina region on May 20 to celebrate and contribute to red wolf conservation in honor of Endangered Species Day.

SACRAMENTO, CA

May 22, 2023

Offshore Wind Development and California Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife’s California Representative, Andrew Johnson, testified before the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture in the California Legislature on May 17. Following the

Press Releases

Asheville, NC

February 17, 2023

U.S. Forest Service Fails to Fix Glaring Flaws in Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

Today, the U.S. Forest Service officially published the Final Forest Plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, moving forward with a plan that recklessly opens critical areas of these two forests to logging and roadbuilding.

Portland, ORE.

February 16, 2023

Petition Seeks Oregon Endangered Species Protection for Southern Resident Orcas

The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation filed a petition today to protect Southern Resident orcas under the Oregon Endangered Species Act. As of the most recent census, just 73 Southern Resident orcas remain, divided among three family groups.

Virginia Beach, VA

February 15, 2023

Vessel Strike Killed Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale

A North Atlantic right whale that washed up dead Sunday was killed by a vessel collision, NOAA Fisheries confirmed today. The results of a necropsy determined the cause of death to be “catastrophic blunt force trauma,” and injuries included multiple vertebral fractures and separations that would have resulted in death shortly after the injury.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

February 8, 2023

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Endangered Species Act Permitting Changes to Protect Species

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed new regulations impacting voluntary species conservation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on private lands. The administration has stated the proposed rules will offer greater clarity on the criteria by which certain permits are issued.

Washington, D.C.

February 3, 2023

Gulf of Maine Lobster Fishery Abandons Bid for Sustainable Certification

In a move welcomed by the conservation community, the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery will no longer seek recertification under the “blue fish tick” ecolabel, a program of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) that purportedly assures consumers that products carrying the label come from “sustainable” fisheries.