Defenders of Wildlife is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Their programs focus on the 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. Their programs encourage protection of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats while protecting predators that serve as indicator species for ecosystem health. Their Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust pays livestock owners in the western United States for losses to wolf predation. This allows ranchers to continue to maintain their property and operations as wolf-friendly without economic loss.