Image
Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,600 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
Image
black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Image
Roaming mountain goat
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.

Press Releases

Image
Manatee with baby
St. Petersburg, Fla.

Legal Agreement Will Protect Critical Habitat for Threatened Florida Manatee

In a legal agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and Save the Manatee Club, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has committed to revise critical habitat for the Florida manatee by September 2024.
Image
Gray_Wolf_Maya_Isster17-wikimedia
SEATTLE, Wash.

Defenders of Wildlife Offering Reward for Information About Four Dead Wolves in Washington

Defenders of Wildlife is offering $2,500 for information after four wolves were discovered dead in Stevens County, Washington earlier this year. The information must lead to a poaching conviction.
Image
Growling wolverine
Missoula, Mont.

Court Restores Wolverine Protections While Agency Reconsiders Endangered Species Decision

The wolverine has regained candidate species status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) following a Montana District Court decision late Thursday.
Image
Sea Otter floating
Sacramento, Calif.

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Resolution Recognizing 20th Anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week 

Just ahead of World Otter Day on May 25, Defenders of Wildlife and Sea Otter Savvy are celebrating the passage of a resolution in the California Legislature recognizing the 20th anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week.
Image
Advocating for Biodiversity
Washington, DC

Hundreds of State Legislators Join Defenders of Wildlife in Calling for a National Biodiversity Strategy

Today, 365 legislators from 48 states and territories sent a letter to President Biden urging him to establish a national biodiversity strategy.
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
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268