Defenders of Wildlife is a U.S.-based conservation organization that works to protect native animals and plants and their habitats through science-based advocacy, litigation, policy development, education, and on-the-ground conservation programs, with a strong focus on endangered species recovery and landscape-scale habitat protection.
Endangered Species Act enforcement and species recovery, habitat and corridor protection, public lands and oceans conservation, predator and large mammal conservation, climate resilience for wildlife, opposition to developments and policies that degrade critical habitat, and legislative advocacy and litigation to advance wildlife protections.
Primarily private funding from individual donors and membership contributions, supplemented by foundation grants, bequests, and program service revenue (with limited government grants).
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (advocacy 501(c)(4) affiliate); Defenders of Wildlife PAC; Jamie Rappaport Clark (longtime president/CEO and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director).
Non-profit (501(c)(3) conservation organization)
