Our Mission:

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.



We focus our programs on what scientists consider two of the most serious environmental threats to the planet:

the accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss of biological diversity, and habitat alteration and destruction.

Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, Defenders of Wildlife also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that will help keep species from becoming endangered.

Our programs encourage protection of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats while protecting predators that serve as indicator species for ecosystem health.

Primary Program and Issue Areas:

Species Conservation: Endangered species recovery, Predator protection and restoration, Wild bird protection, Marine mammal protection.

Habitat Conservation: Ecosystems protection, Refuge reform, Gap analysis, Marine biodiversity, "Watchable" Wildlife programs and books.

Policy Leadership: Endangered Species Act, State and federal wildlife laws, Biodiversity education, Wildlife trade, International treaties.