Defenders of Wildlife

2 Apr

America was shaped by the wild. And throughout history, we have recognized the importance of protecting wildlife and wild lands – this is our shared heritage. While our country may not always see eye to eye, when it comes to our love for wildlife, we know we’re united.

There was a time when the Mexican gray wolf could roam freely for thousands of miles in the U.S. But they were nearly hunted to extinction, until they received ESA protection in 1978. Although their numbers have grown since, they remain one of the most endangered subspecies of wolf in the world.

If you’re a North Carolina driver, you can help Red Wolves directly with a trip to the DMV! Through the purchase of a new Red Wolf specialty license plate, we can increase funding that will support Red Wolf recovery in the state and raise visibility for this critically endangered species.

dfnd.usRed Wolf License Plate – Red Wolf Coalition • Columbia NC

Learn more about this opportunity, here: dfnd.us/47sLRng

Happy Wolf Awareness Week! Howl with us 🐺

We all love decorating our homes and celebrating the spooky season, but it’s not always fun for wildlife! For an easy alternative, hang spiderwebs indoors or use natural decorations outside like pumpkins, gourds, and corn stalks that can be composted. Video submitted by a user.

That’s right, over the past year, at least 1.6 million comments have been sent in with a clear message to the administration: Keep the Roadless Rule in place! Intact forests deserve continued, consistent national protection for decades to come. Learn more on our blog: dfnd.us/3VyXzdp

Happy World Habitat Day! When we protect our wild lands and habitats, we protect the peace and tranquility offered to us by national parks, refuges, forests and more. Wildlife gets a home, and we get a place of wonder, relaxation and reflection – and a stronger connection to nature.

Our SE Program director, Ben Prater joined Climate Week NYC to talk about wildlife connectivity. One of the biggest takeaways? Wildlife connectivity is a human issue, too. Through hard work, collaboration and a little creativity — we can help endangered species thrive while keeping humans safe.

Here’s what rolling back the Roadless Rule could mean… 327 threatened and endangered species negatively impacted 🐾 71 designated critical habitats negatively impacted 🏞️ 3,490 sensitive species facing increased threats 🦋 We still have time to stop it. Take action, here: dfnd.us/4rtWgZ7

dfnd.usLearn how you can help take action for sea otters at this upcoming webinar!Sea Otter Awareness Week 2026 wraps up – join us for our final virtual presentation on Saturday, Sept. 26!

Happy Sea Otter Awareness Week! Join us Saturday, 9/26, to learn more about sea otter reintroduction efforts and the ethical issues that underpin these important programs. Sign up to our webinar: dfnd.us/4hm6GFr 🦦

17 Sept

Defenders win! Just in time for National Fox Day today, a court ruled that critical Sierra Nevada red fox habitat must be protected after USFWS attempted to waive protections for the less than 40 foxes remaining in the wild. Learn more: dfnd.us/4cQXvLT

10 Sept

The American Prairie bison herd is here to stay! Last week, a judge halted BLM’s plan to remove over 900 bison from grazing lands in northeast Montana. While the work to restore the American bison to their rightful place continues, this decision is a step in the right direction towards recovery!

10 Sept

We have less than a month left – help us get 100,000 public comments opposing the repeal of the Roadless Rule! Take action and submit your comment: dfnd.us/4A3JS5G ⬅️

9 Sept

Bulldozers are breaking ground in Izembek. A court has now allowed construction to move forward on a separate 2.8-mile road on King Cove Corp. lands within the refuge—leading directly to the doorstep of Izembek Wilderness. We're appealing the decision. And we're not done fighting for Izembek.

5 Sept

The Trump administration has issued an executive order directing the Secretary of Interior to decide whether gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves still deserve protections under the guise of helping ranchers. Wolves deserve better than a Big Bad Wolf narrative dictating their fate.

1 Sept

Good news! The California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund is back! State taxpayers once again will have the opportunity to directly support sea otter conservation by donating to this critical conservation funding source. Learn more: dfnd.us/4gxvpYk

31 Aug

Just like wildlife, we like to relax at the beach, we like to play with our siblings, we like to enjoy a snack. We do a lot of things like wildlife. But we do one thing differently: we give them a voice.

30 Aug

Happy International Puma Day 🐾 Did you know that the Florida panther is the only puma population found east of the Mississippi? It’s recognized as Florida’s official state animal too! Video Credit: fStop Foundation.

29 Aug

Great news! A gray wolf has been spotted in California’s Sequoia National Park for the first time in more than 100 years! The three-year-old female, known as BEY03F, was born in 2023 in northern California and has traveled an impressive distance south, likely in search of a mate and new territory.

27 Aug

We sued to protect the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge from an illegal closed-door deal that would build a road through the heart of Izembek’s world-class wildlife habitats, wetlands and wilderness – and we won. Learn more on our website: dfnd.us/4gfgGB0

26 Aug

Trail cameras are a safe, easy way to learn more about the wildlife in your area. Once you know more about the animals that share your space, you can learn how to help protect them and their habitats. You don’t need a far-off mountaintop to see wildlife; our backyards can be just as wild!

25 Aug

Happy Birthday to the National Parks System! Check out some super-deserved superlatives from some super amazing national parks. Read more on our blog: dfnd.us/4wXlaBy

19 Aug

We officially dub Summer 2026, the Summer of Sea Turtles! Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

18 Aug

Who goes there? Someone was caught on our trail cam. You can often find these sleek and solitary mustelids sneaking through the night. Do you know who walked by?

4 Aug

Happy International Owl Awareness Day!🦉 Did you know that burrowing owls, one of the smallest owls in North America, stand only 7 to 10 inches tall? That’s about as tall as a roll of paper towels or a box of cereal! We wouldn’t be amused either if we were as tall as a TV remote…

dfnd.usOpinion: U.S. Wildlife Depends on Our Elections. That's the Problem.Conservationists should vigorously challenge decisions that weaken existing wildlife protections. But if our ambitions begin and end with reversing today's rollbacks,

3 Aug

Conservation shouldn’t be a flashpoint in the culture wars or a footnote in a party platform – the fate of America’s wildlife should never swing with the political pendulum. Let’s put politics aside and build lasting solutions for the wildlife and wild places we all share! dfnd.us/45059PF

28 July

It’s official: the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge joins UNESCO’s World Heritage List! Okefenokee joins an iconic list of cultural and natural sites of world importance alongside monuments like the Grand Canyon, Taj Mahal and Great Wall of China. Learn more: dfnd.us/4x76WhG

26 July

Pups, chicks, calves and cubs succeed thanks to their amazing parents – just like us! Whether a protective grizzly bear or cuddling otter parent – or our own moms and dads – we’re celebrating all the parents that help teach and defend future generations. Happy National Parents’ Day!

24 July

Take 20 seconds out of your day for a nature break. Let this babbling brook bring you bliss!

21 July

If you destroy wildlife's home, you harm wildlife. It's that simple. The Trump administration has tried to erase that truth by stripping habitat destruction from the definition of "harm" under the ESA. We sued to stop this unlawful rollback because wildlife cannot survive without their homes.

dfnd.usDefenders Sends Notice of Intent to Sue the Trump Administration over Rescission of ‘Harm’Defenders of Wildlife today sent a letter to the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce signaling its intent to sue over the administration’s rescission of the long-standing definition ...

21 July

Learn more in our Newsroom: dfnd.us/4ft2hzo

dfnd.usIn a Gift to Industry, The Trump Administration Eliminates Protections for Threatened Species and Essential HabitatIn a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today finalized rollbacks of two regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act that will hamstring the

20 July

Where we see our nation’s irreplaceable wildlife, they see dollar signs. These ESA rollbacks will eliminate protections and trample recovery for imperiled wildlife and their habitats. But that’s what the Trump administration wants: more extraction, more extinction and more profit. dfnd.us/4fehvcM

17 July

The Red Wolf Recovery Program in North Carolina has confirmed the birth of four wild litters of Red Wolf pups in eastern NC this spring! With an estimated population of around 22 adults and 12 to 16 pups in the litters, we celebrate every new addition to these Red Wolf families! dfnd.us/4vzcznK

16 July

Want some tips on how to recreate responsibly? 🥾 Wear footwear designed for what you’re doing: hiking boots, waders. 🔭 Observe animals from a safe distance away with binoculars 🚷 Stay on the marked trails and be aware of your surroundings 🍫 Don’t leave food or trash in campsites or on trails.

14 July

To celebrate World Orca Day, we asked our Millennial and Gen-Z staff to come up with a quick post. As you can see, we received…different approaches.

9 July

Roadways can be a true danger to wildlife – but in North Carolina, they’re about to get a bit safer! 🚸 In their most recent budget, the state approved a historic $10.2 million recurring investment towards wildlife crossings and improving roadway safety for both people and wildlife. Learn more! ⬇️

dfnd.usDefenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar AppropriationNorth 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-...

9 July

Read more about this victory on our website: dfnd.us/4wAFoRD

8 July

Congrats to Brian Burhoe for winning the grand prize of our USA 250: Shaped by the Wild Photo Contest for his astonishing picture of a young Humpback whale calf. His spectacular eye-to-eye shot will be featured in our exclusive Defenders of Wildlife 2028 Calendar!

3 July

Being an endemic species, like the Red Wolf or Black-footed Ferret, means they are found here and nowhere else. That makes them uniquely American! It also means we must protect them.

2 July

The A in USA stands for A lot of bald eagles!

The final part of our 50 States, 50 Refuges tour is here! And as a treat, we included an extra refuge near Washington, D.C. in honor of our 250th anniversary. Find a refuge near you – and if you don’t see it here, check Parts 1 through 8 on our platforms! 🧵📷(1/5)

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In New York, you can find Bald Eagles in Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge! (4/5)

Just outside Washington, D.C. in Northeast Virginia, you can find Bald Eagles in Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge! (5/5)

In Maryland, you can find Bald Eagles in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge! (2/5)

In Illinois, you can find Bald Eagles in Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge! (3/5)

28 June

This is your last chance to submit your wildlife photos to our America 250: Shaped by the Wild Photo Contest! Your photo may be shared on our social media channels, and one winner will be featured on our upcoming 2028 calendar. We’re all winners when we celebrate our wild world! dfnd.us/4ed0TlN

27 June

🦋 It’s definitely butterfly season 🦋

26 June

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAL! That’s what we hope to be cheering as the U.S. team plays Turkey tonight ⚽

25 June

Algal blooms are overgrowths of algae caused by factors like high water temperatures & certain nutrients in the water. Some algal blooms can produce harmful toxins! Pets & other animals can be exposed to toxins through drinking or swimming in contaminated water, so be careful on your summer walks.