For Immediate Release
Anchorage, AK

Nicole Whittington-Evans joined Defenders of Wildlife as the Alaska program director. Most recently, she was the Alaska director for The Wilderness Society for over eight years, boasting over twenty years of wildlife conservation experience.

Shawn Cantrell, vice president of Field Conservation at Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:

“I am excited to welcome Nicole Whittington-Evans to our Alaska field office and Defenders of Wildlife. Her knowledge of Alaska’s wildlife and wildlands is unmatched, and it will be critical as we continue our efforts to protect irreplaceable wildlife refuges, preserves and other key habitats across Alaska.”

Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director at Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:

“I am thrilled to be joining the Defenders of Wildlife team and returning to one of my greatest passions, working on wildlife issues. Throughout my career, I have strived to blend science and policy to support the greatest conservation gains for wildlife, important habitat and public lands, and I will continue to do so in this new role. Defenders’ commitment to conservation biology is inspiring to me, and I am honored to serve as the Alaska program director.”

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.

  

Media Contact

News

Image
black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Image
grizzly bear in Alaska
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.