As many of you already know, after 20 years at the helm of Defenders of Wildlife, I have made the difficult decision to retire this fall. I am proud of the great victories we have achieved over the past two decades and appreciate all of your support for wildlife conservation.

On October 1, Jamie Rappaport Clark will take over as president and CEO of Defenders. As former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during some of its best years—which included the restoration of wolves to the American landscape in the 1990s, the recovery of the peregrine falcon, and the expansion of the National Wildlife Refuge System—Jamie has literally spent her whole career safeguarding our country’s precious wildlife.

She will continue to bring all that experience to Defenders, leading an extraordinary team of professionals in tackling the serious conservation challenges that lie ahead for wildlife.  That is why I am confident that with your continued help and Jamie at the helm, Defenders of Wildlife’s best days are still ahead.

Stay strong and keep up the good fight!

Rodger.

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