What is the primary mission of Defenders of Wildlife?

Defenders of Wildlife is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants throughout North America within their natural communities.

When was Defenders of Wildlife founded, and what was its original name?

Defenders of Wildlife was founded in 1947. Its original name was Defenders of Fur Bearers, reflecting an initial focus on preserving wild animals.

What is the headquarters location of Defenders of Wildlife?

The organization's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C.

Besides its headquarters, where does Defenders of Wildlife maintain field offices?

Defenders of Wildlife has field offices in Anchorage, Sacramento, Denver, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Asheville, North Carolina, and Seattle.

What are the main methods used by Defenders of Wildlife in its conservation efforts?

Defenders of Wildlife employs advocacy, education, and litigation as its primary methods for conservation.

What is the stated focus of Defenders of Wildlife?

The organization's focus is on the protection of all native animals and plants.

What is the website address for Defenders of Wildlife?

The official website for Defenders of Wildlife is defenders.org.

How does Defenders of Wildlife work to prevent species extinction?

Defenders of Wildlife works to prevent species extinction by influencing local, state, and federal policies and laws, particularly the Endangered Species Act. They also identify and focus on key species that play a significant role in their ecosystems.

What is the Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) and when was it launched by Defenders of Wildlife?

The Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) was launched by Defenders of Wildlife in 2017. It aims to improve endangered species conservation in the United States by using data, technology, and interdisciplinary approaches to develop innovative solutions to conservation challenges.

What significant resource did the Center for Conservation Innovation create related to the Endangered Species Act?

The Center for Conservation Innovation created ESAdocs Search, which is described as the largest searchable database of Endangered Species Act documents, containing nearly 14,000 documents.

What is the organization's approach to defending wildlife habitat?

Defenders of Wildlife works to protect important wildlife habitat, with a specific emphasis on public lands designated for conservation, such as the National Wildlife Refuge System. They also engage with other federal public lands, waters, and private landowners where imperiled wildlife habitat is present.

What does Defenders of Wildlife mean by Promoting Coexistence?

Promoting Coexistence is a major focus for Defenders of Wildlife, aimed at mitigating conflicts between people, livestock, and predators. They work to dispel intolerance, limit negative interactions, reduce livestock depredations, and promote nonlethal methods for dealing with wildlife, particularly concerning wolves and bears.

How does Defenders of Wildlife address the impacts of climate change?

Defenders of Wildlife collaborates with wildlife and natural resource managers to address the effects of climate change and to develop adaptive strategies that can be integrated into conservation plans.

What is Defenders of Wildlife's role in international conservation efforts?

Internationally, Defenders of Wildlife works to combat the illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking.

Who served as the director of Defenders of Wildlife from 1948 to 1976, and what was her later role?

Dorothy Burney Richards served as the director of Defenders of Wildlife from 1948 to 1976. She continued with the organization as an honorary director from 1976 until her death in 1985.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife?

The Supreme Court case Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife in 1992 reshaped standing qualifications in U.S. courts. The Court ruled that the suit, which challenged the application of the Endangered Species Act to government projects outside the United States, lacked standing.

How was Defenders of Wildlife recognized in 2006?

In 2006, Defenders of Wildlife was recognized as one of the best wildlife charities by Reader's Digest magazine.

What was the Eye on Palin media campaign, and what was Sarah Palin's response?

In 2009, Defenders of Wildlife launched the Eye on Palin campaign to criticize what they called the extreme anti-conservation policies of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, particularly her support for the aerial hunting of wolves. Governor Palin responded by calling Defenders of Wildlife an extreme fringe group that was twisting the truth to raise funds.

In what year did Defenders of Wildlife partner with Litton Entertainment for a television series, and what was the series called?

In October 2021, Defenders of Wildlife began partnering with Litton Entertainment to produce the television series Wildlife Nation with Jeff Corwin, which aired as part of ABC's Litton's Weekend Adventure.

What reputation did Defenders of Wildlife acquire under the leadership of Jamie Rappaport Clark?

Under the leadership of Jamie Rappaport Clark, who became President and CEO in 2011, Defenders of Wildlife acquired a reputation for a toxic work culture, with staff accusing her of creating a culture of fear.

What action did Jamie Rappaport Clark take regarding the staff union at Defenders of Wildlife?

Jamie Rappaport Clark refused to voluntarily recognize the staff union, known as Defenders United, which led to an election sponsored by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 2021.

What did the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) find in August 2022 regarding Defenders of Wildlife management?

In August 2022, the NLRB found that Defenders of Wildlife management had violated labor law. These violations included terminating an employee for union organizing, failing to provide the union with necessary information for contract bargaining, and engaging in direct dealings with staff, bypassing the union.

Who was Erica Prather, and what was the outcome of her case against Defenders of Wildlife?

Erica Prather was a former employee who was unlawfully terminated for her union organizing efforts. In a settlement reached in February 2023, just before an NLRB prosecution was set to begin, she was awarded $87,000 in backpay and agreed to waive her right to reinstatement.

What law firms has Defenders of Wildlife retained for contract bargaining and managing unfair labor practices?

Defenders of Wildlife has retained the law firms Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and Littler Mendelson for contract bargaining and management of unfair labor practices. Littler Mendelson is noted as a union avoidance firm.

What unfair labor practice charges against Defenders of Wildlife management were still pending investigation as of May 2024?

As of May 2024, several unfair labor practice charges filed against Defenders of Wildlife management were still pending investigation by the NLRB. These included allegations of depriving union members of access to improved leave benefits and annual merit increases.

What is the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and how does it differ from the main organization?

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is an affiliated 501(c)(4) organization that focuses on influencing elected federal officials to protect natural heritage and hold leaders accountable. While sharing conservation goals, it conducts accountability campaigns, petition drives, and grassroots advocacy, and voluntarily discloses its large political contributions.

What is the purpose of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund?

The purpose of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is to influence elected federal officials to protect natural heritage and hold leaders accountable through campaigns, petitions, and grassroots advocacy.

What does the image caption 'Defenders of Wildlife headquarters in Washington, D.C.' describe?

The image caption indicates that the photograph shows the main office building for Defenders of Wildlife, located in Washington, D.C.

What does the image caption 'Illegally fired union organizer Erica Prather and union members protested for 3 days outside of Defenders of Wildlife's Washington, DC headquarters in February 2022.' describe?

This caption describes a protest that took place in February 2022 outside the Defenders of Wildlife headquarters in Washington, D.C. The protest involved union members and Erica Prather, who was identified as an illegally fired union organizer, highlighting labor disputes within the organization.

What is the role of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the work of Defenders of Wildlife?

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a key piece of legislation that Defenders of Wildlife works to influence and support through policy and legal advocacy to prevent species extinction.

What is the primary goal of the Promoting Coexistence efforts by Defenders of Wildlife?

The primary goal of Promoting Coexistence is to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife, particularly predators like wolves and bears, by promoting understanding and nonlethal conflict resolution methods.

What does the article suggest about the use of primary sources by the article itself?

The article includes maintenance templates indicating that it relies excessively on references to primary sources and needs additional citations for verification, suggesting that improvements could be made by adding more secondary or tertiary sources.

What is the function of the Authority control section at the end of the article?

The Authority control section provides links to external databases that catalog information about Defenders of Wildlife, such as ISNI, VIAF, Library of Congress, and others, helping to standardize and identify the organization across different systems.

What does the Focus field in the infobox tell us about Defenders of Wildlife?

The Focus field in the infobox states that Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants.

What does the Method field in the infobox indicate about how Defenders of Wildlife operates?

The Method field in the infobox lists advocacy, education, and litigation as the primary ways Defenders of Wildlife carries out its conservation work.

What does the Area served field in the infobox specify?

The Area served field indicates that the operational scope of Defenders of Wildlife is the United States.

What is the significance of the 501(c)(3) designation mentioned in the introduction?

The 501(c)(3) designation indicates that Defenders of Wildlife is a non-profit organization recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, typically meaning it is exempt from federal income tax and donations to it are tax-deductible for donors.

What does the article imply about the organization's stance on large carnivores?

The article implies that protecting wild animals, especially large carnivores, remains a central goal for Defenders of Wildlife, even as its work has broadened to include habitat and biodiversity.

What is the overall goal of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund?

The overall goal of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is to influence elected federal officials to protect natural heritage and hold leaders accountable through campaigns, petitions, and grassroots advocacy.

What specific legal challenge did Defenders of Wildlife file against the federal government, and what was the outcome?

Defenders of Wildlife filed a lawsuit against the federal government when it argued that the Endangered Species Act did not apply to government projects conducted outside the United States. This case, Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1992 that the suit lacked standing.

What role does the article suggest the Endangered Species Act plays in the organization's work?

The article states that Defenders of Wildlife works to influence local, state, and federal policy and laws, especially the Endangered Species Act, as part of its efforts to prevent species from going extinct.

What is the relationship between Defenders of Wildlife and the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund?

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is affiliated with Defenders of Wildlife and shares the same conservation goals, but operates as a separate 501(c)(4) entity focused on political advocacy.

What specific actions did the NLRB find Defenders of Wildlife management engaged in that violated labor law in August 2022?

The NLRB found that Defenders of Wildlife management violated labor law by terminating a former employee for union organizing, failing to provide the staff union with necessary information for contract bargaining, and bypassing the union to deal directly with staff.

What is the significance of Littler Mendelson being retained by Defenders of Wildlife?

Littler Mendelson is noted as a union avoidance firm, suggesting that retaining them for contract bargaining and labor practice management indicates a potentially adversarial approach to union relations by Defenders of Wildlife management.

What specific benefits did the staff union claim were denied to union members by Clark in late 2023?

According to the staff union, Clark deprived union members of access to improved leave benefits and annual merit increases in late 2023.

What does the article indicate about the organization's approach to international conservation?

The article indicates that Defenders of Wildlife engages in international work, specifically focusing on combating the illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking.

What is the implication of the where? tag next to Advocating for International Species?

The where? tag suggests that the geographic scope of the organization's international work is unclear or unspecified within the text at that point, indicating a need for clarification.

What is the significance of the citation regarding the Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife case?

The citations for the Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife case point to official Supreme Court documents and legal analysis websites, providing verifiable sources for the information about the lawsuit and its impact on legal standing.

Defenders Of Wildlife Wiki: Guardians of the Wild: An Examination of Defenders of Wildlife's Mission and Impact

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Organizational Overview

Foundation and Status

Defenders of Wildlife is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity dedicated to conservation. Established in 1947, its mandate encompasses the comprehensive protection of indigenous fauna and flora across North America within their native ecosystems.

Operational Scope

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization maintains a significant presence with field offices strategically located in key regions such as Anchorage, Sacramento, Denver, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Asheville, North Carolina, and Seattle. This distributed network facilitates localized engagement and impact across the continent.

Core Objectives

The organization's primary objectives include the conservation of wildlife, the safeguarding of critical wildlife habitats, and the preservation of biodiversity. While its operational scope has broadened significantly since its inception, the protection of wild animals, particularly large carnivores, remains a central tenet of its mission.

Defining the Mission

Comprehensive Protection

Defenders of Wildlife is committed to the protection of all native animal and plant species within their natural habitats across North America. This holistic approach underscores a dedication to preserving ecological integrity and biodiversity.

Advocacy and Action

The organization employs a multi-faceted strategy that includes direct advocacy, educational outreach, and legal action. These methods are employed to influence policy, raise public awareness, and ensure the effective implementation of conservation laws and initiatives.

Areas of Conservation Work

Imperiled Species Protection

Defenders actively works to prevent species extinction by influencing local, state, and federal policies, with a particular emphasis on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They identify and champion "key species" that play vital roles in their ecosystems, serving as ambassadors for broader conservation efforts. These include wolves, bees, bats, sea turtles, Sonoran pronghorn, sharks, mussels, black-footed ferrets, desert tortoises, grizzly bears, parrots, wolverines, gopher tortoises, amphibians, whales, migratory shorebirds, jaguars, bison, freshwater fish, sea otters, Florida panthers, manatees, polar bears, California condors, and sage-grouse.

Wolves
Bees
Bats
Sea Turtles
Sonoran Pronghorn
Sharks
Mussels
Black-footed Ferrets
Desert Tortoises
Grizzly Bears
Parrots
Wolverines
Gopher Tortoises
Amphibians
Whales
Migratory Shorebirds
Jaguar
Bison
Freshwater Fish
Sea Otters
Florida Panthers
Manatees
Polar Bears
California Condors
Sage-Grouse

Habitat Defense

A significant focus is placed on protecting crucial wildlife habitats, particularly within the National Wildlife Refuge System, designated primarily for wildlife conservation. Their efforts extend to other federal public lands, waters, and private lands where imperiled wildlife habitats may be impacted. Featured landscapes include southern Alaska, the Arctic, Cascadia, the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave, Sky Islands, the Northern Rockies, the Sagebrush Sea, the Northern Plains, the Southern Rockies, the Southern Appalachians, the Florida Panhandle, the Greater Everglades, Eastern Carolinas, and New England.

Southern Alaska
The Arctic
Cascadia
The Sierra Nevada
The Mojave
Sky Islands
The Northern Rockies
The Sagebrush Sea
The Northern Plains
The Southern Rockies
The Southern Appalachians
The Florida Panhandle
The Greater Everglades
Eastern Carolinas
New England

Promoting Coexistence

Defenders champions initiatives aimed at fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife, particularly in areas where human activities intersect with predator populations like wolves and bears. Their work focuses on dispelling intolerance, minimizing negative interactions, reducing livestock depredations, and promoting nonlethal strategies for wildlife management.

Climate Change Adaptation

The organization collaborates with wildlife and natural resource managers to address the impacts of climate change. This involves developing adaptive strategies that can be integrated into existing conservation plans to ensure the resilience of wildlife populations in a changing environment.

International Species Advocacy

Beyond North America, Defenders engages internationally to combat the illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking. This global perspective acknowledges the interconnectedness of conservation challenges and the need for coordinated international efforts.

Innovation and Policy

In 2017, Defenders launched the Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI). This center utilizes data, technology, and interdisciplinary approaches to pioneer novel solutions for conservation challenges. A notable achievement is the ESAdocs Search, a comprehensive database containing nearly 14,000 documents related to the Endangered Species Act, enhancing accessibility for researchers and policymakers.

Historical Trajectory

Early Leadership and Evolution

From 1948 to 1976, Dorothy Burney Richards served as the director of Defenders of Wildlife, continuing as honorary director until her passing in 1985. Initially founded as "Defenders of Fur Bearers" in 1947, the organization evolved its focus to encompass broader wildlife protection, habitat preservation, and biodiversity safeguarding.

Landmark Legal Precedent

In 1992, the organization was involved in the significant Supreme Court case Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife. This ruling critically reshaped the qualifications for legal standing in U.S. courts, determining that the suit lacked standing to challenge federal government projects outside the United States under the Endangered Species Act.

Public Recognition and Campaigns

Defenders of Wildlife received recognition, being listed among the best wildlife charities by Reader's Digest in 2006. In 2009, the organization initiated the "Eye on Palin" media campaign, critiquing then-Governor Sarah Palin's conservation policies, particularly her stance on aerial wolf hunting. This led to public exchanges regarding the group's advocacy methods.

Media Partnerships

In October 2021, Defenders of Wildlife commenced a partnership with Litton Entertainment. This collaboration resulted in the production of the zoological television series Wildlife Nation with Jeff Corwin, featured as part of ABC's programming block, "Litton's Weekend Adventure."

Organizational Dynamics and Labor Relations

Workplace Culture Allegations

Reports emerged during the leadership of President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark, who assumed the role in 2011, alleging a challenging organizational culture. Staff members reportedly described an environment characterized by fear, with specific concerns raised regarding tokenism, microaggressions, and the disproportionate burden of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work placed upon employees from underrepresented backgrounds.

Unionization Efforts and NLRB Findings

The staff union, "Defenders United," sought voluntary recognition, which was reportedly refused by leadership. This led to a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) sponsored election in 2021. Subsequently, the NLRB issued findings in August 2022, indicating that Defenders of Wildlife management had violated labor law. These violations included the termination of an employee for union organizing activities, failure to provide necessary information for contract bargaining, and bypassing the union to deal directly with staff.

Legal Settlements and Ongoing Disputes

The organization engaged external legal counsel, including firms known for labor relations expertise. In February 2023, prior to an administrative law judge hearing, a settlement was reached with a former employee, Erica Prather, who received $87,000 in back pay, waiving reinstatement rights. As of May 2024, several unfair labor practice charges filed against management remained under NLRB investigation. Reports also indicate that union members were allegedly denied improved leave benefits and annual merit increases in late 2023.

Leadership Transition

Following these developments, Jamie Rappaport Clark announced her intention to step down as President and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife sometime in 2024. The organization has retained legal services for contract bargaining and management of labor relations matters.

Affiliated Entities

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund operates as a separate 501(c)(4) entity. Its primary function is to influence elected federal officials to advance conservation objectives and ensure accountability among leaders. The Action Fund shares the core conservation goals of its affiliate and engages in targeted accountability campaigns, petition drives, and grassroots advocacy efforts. It voluntarily discloses its significant political contributions.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Defenders of Wildlife Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes exclusively. The content is derived from a specific snapshot of publicly available data and may not represent the most current or complete information available. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the AI cannot guarantee the absolute precision or timeliness of the information presented.

This is not professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for expert consultation in fields such as conservation science, environmental policy, or organizational management. Readers are encouraged to consult official documentation and qualified professionals for specific inquiries or applications.

The creators of this content are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.

Guardians of the Wild

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Organizational Overview ℹ️

🏢 Foundation and Status

📍 Operational Scope

🎯 Core Objectives

Defining the Mission 📜

🌿 Comprehensive Protection

⚖️ Advocacy and Action

Areas of Conservation Work 🌍

🦅 Imperiled Species Protection

🌳 Habitat Defense

🤝 Promoting Coexistence

☁️ Climate Change Adaptation

🌐 International Species Advocacy

💡 Innovation and Policy

Historical Trajectory ⏳

🕰️ Early Leadership and Evolution

⚖️ Landmark Legal Precedent

📰 Public Recognition and Campaigns

📺 Media Partnerships

Organizational Dynamics and Labor Relations ⚖️

⚠️ Workplace Culture Allegations

✊ Unionization Efforts and NLRB Findings

💰 Legal Settlements and Ongoing Disputes

➡️ Leadership Transition

Affiliated Entities 🤝

📣 Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Organizational Overview

Foundation and Status

Operational Scope

Core Objectives

Defining the Mission

Comprehensive Protection

Advocacy and Action

Areas of Conservation Work

Imperiled Species Protection

Habitat Defense

Promoting Coexistence

Climate Change Adaptation

International Species Advocacy

Innovation and Policy

Historical Trajectory

Early Leadership and Evolution

Landmark Legal Precedent

Public Recognition and Campaigns

Media Partnerships

Organizational Dynamics and Labor Relations

Workplace Culture Allegations

Unionization Efforts and NLRB Findings

Legal Settlements and Ongoing Disputes

Leadership Transition

Affiliated Entities

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice