Ben Prater selected as Southeast Program Director

Contact: Haley McKey, 202-772-0247, hmckey@defenders.org

Washington, DC (September 8, 2015)- Ben Prater has joined Defenders of Wildlife as the Southeast Program Director, opening a new Defenders’ regional office based in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife:

“Ben will spearhead Defenders habitat and species conservation work in the Southeast, building on our conservation efforts in Florida and expanding our conservation footprint further into North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.

The Southeastern United States is a region where high biodiversity and increasing threats intersect. We believe our focused, science-based and solutions-oriented approach to conservation can help leverage the work of other regional conservation groups to address the diverse conservation needs of the region.

“We are eager to expand and strengthen our relationships with elected officials, federal, local and state agencies, private landowners, wildlife activists and other conservation groups in order to work effectively to protect the native wildlife and habitat in this region.”

Statement by Ben Prater:

 “Having Defenders now working across the region in the Southeast will be an incredible asset to the conservation community.  We will be able to build on the success of our Florida office and grow to take on new challenges and achieve lasting results.  I am excited to lead this effort and join such a talented team in our work to protect and restore native wildlife and their habitats.” 

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

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