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Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court
In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
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Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation
North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.
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Defenders of Wildlife Urges Public Opposition to NOAA’s Planned Review That Could Weaken California’s Authority to Protect its Coastline
NOAA will review California's Coastal Management Program following a directive from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Defenders of Wildlife urges public participation in upcoming public meetings to protect California's coast, wildlife, and state authority.
Press Releases
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
jcovey@defenders.org
