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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.
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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.
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Washington, DC

BLM Prepares Illegal Move to Open Ouray National Wildlife Refuge to Oil & Gas, a Dangerous Precedent for Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is calling on BLM to withdrawal an unprecedented proposal to open Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Utah to new oil and gas leasing.

Press Releases

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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Seattle, Wash.

Another Lethal Removal Order Released for Washington Wolves

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today issued another lethal removal order for up to two members of the Wedge pack in the Kettle Range of Washington. The order comes days after WDFW reported new depredations in Stevens County, which lies within the Wedge pack’s territory.
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Royal Tern
Washington, DC

Environmental Groups Push Back Against Destructive Migratory Bird Rule, Proposed Alternatives

The Trump administration is using the “Miracle on the Hudson” event as an excuse to strip protections for migratory birds by undercutting one of our nation’s first conservation laws – the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
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Lassen Pack pups
LASSEN COUNTY, Calif.

Minimum of Eight New Wolf Pups Confirmed in Lassen Pack Count

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has confirmed a minimum count of eight new pups in the Lassen Pack. This is the fourth consecutive year that the pack has produced pups.
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Polar Bear Kiss Exclusive Virtual Background
Washington, DC

New Rule Undercuts NEPA, Putting Wildlife and People at Risk

Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced a final rule eviscerating the long-standing regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In
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Tongass wolf
Sitka, AK

Endangered Species Protections Sought for Rare Wolf in Southeast Alaska

The Center for Biological Diversity, Alaska Rainforest Defenders and Defenders of Wildlife petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to give Endangered Species Act protections to the Alexander Archipelago wolf in Southeast Alaska.
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243