Washington, DC

Andrew Bowman, Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO, today released the following statement on the election of former president Donald J. Trump:

"We don’t need a crystal ball to know that the incoming Administration, led by President-elect Trump, will push a legislative and regulatory agenda that is designed to dismantle bedrock conservation laws like the Endangered Species Act, and destroy the wildlife and habitat we cherish.  

We’ve seen this story before.

Thankfully, however, we not only have allies on Capitol Hill who, like you, value wildlife and wish to preserve it for future generations, but we also have a game plan in place to ensure wildlife isn’t sidelined in the tumultuous weeks and months ahead.  

Here at Defenders of Wildlife, we get up every morning with one goal in mind: defend the animals, landscapes and natural bounty that define our nation. And, today, our 2.1 million members are counting on us more than ever to fulfill that goal so that wildlife they love isn’t lost into the void of extinction.  

With our allies in place, and our members’ voices and power on our side, we’ll continue advocating to protect wildlife on all fronts – in the courts, on the ground and in Congress. It’s not just our job, it’s our mission."

###

Media Contact

Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244

News

Image
Stefan Ekernas
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Stefan Ekernas as New Vice President of Species Conservation & Coexistence

Defenders of Wildlife is proud to announce Stephan Ekernas as its new Vice President of Species Conservation and Coexistence, where he will oversee Defenders’ field conservation programs.
Image
brown bear
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Trump Administration Opens Door to Bear Baiting, Den Hunting in Alaska Preserves

The National Park Service finalized a regulation that abdicates the agency's responsibility to manage wildlife in Alaska's national preserves, deferring instead to state regulations. Defenders of Wildlife condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.