Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife is a United States-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1947, "dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities." The organization is active in political interventions and lobbying aimed at protection of wildlife, and fundraising used for conservation efforts, and to battle cruelty against all wildlife."[1] The organisations efforts extend into such areas as wildlife conservation, habitat conservation, off-shore drilling, climate change, renewable energy, international conservation, and policy and legislation in United States.[2]
The organization was originally called "Defenders of Fur Bearers"[3] and its mission was focused on North American mammals. Today, the organization's mission is broader and includes preservation and conservation actions concerning both animals and plants, and wild life habitat protection. The organization advocates the Endangered Species Act of 1973 through lobbying and use of the U.S. legal system in order to protect the remaining Endangered species. The organization houses offices in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the headquarter for the Defenders of Wild Life is based in Washington, D.C., U.S.
Defenders of Wildlife focuses its programs on the alarmingly accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss of biological diversity and habitat alteration and destruction. Defenders of Wildlife also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that will help keep species from becoming endangered. Its programs encourage protection of entire ecosystems and their interconnected habitats while protecting predators (mainly wolves) that serve as indicator species for the ecosystem's health. Its sister organization, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, lobbies and works to influence legislative action directly.[4]
Predator conservation
Much of Defenders' work involves the protection of North American carnivores and predators, primarily wolves and grizzly bears but also including lynx, black bear, jaguar and Florida panther conservation.[5]
Palin controversy
In 2009, Defenders of Wildlife announced a new media campaign named "Eye on Palin." The campaign, starring actress Ashley Judd, focused on what the group termed the "extreme anti-conservation policies" of the Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, in particular her support of the aerial hunting of wolves. In response, governor Palin put out a statement calling Defenders of Wildlife an "extreme fringe group" and defending her "predator control program." She attacked the non-profit group for allegedly "twisting the truth in an effort to raise funds from innocent and hard-pressed Americans." [6]
Awards
Defenders was named "America's Best Wildlife Charity" in 2005 by the Reader's Digest.
References
- ^ Defenders of Wildlife (2011). "About Us". Defenders of Wildlife. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ Gay Mackintosh, Defenders of Wildlife (1989). Preserving communities & corridors. Defenders of Wildlife. pp. 8–12.
- ^ Defenders of Wildlife (2011). "Our History". Defenders of Wildlife. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ Defenders of Wildlife. "Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund".
- ^ Defenders of Wildlife (2011). "Defenders".
- ^ Joel Connelly (Feb. 3, 2009). "Wildlife group draws bead on Sarah Palin". Seattle pi. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
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External links
- Defenders.org
- DefendersActionFund.org
- SaveWolves.org
- World Wildlife Federation (WWF)
- SaveArcticRefuge.org
- Defenders Action Center
- KidsPlanet.org
- ExxposeExxon Defenders of Wildlife is a founding member of this environmental group organized to call attention to the activities of ExxonMobil which are considered environmentally harmful.