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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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Barred Owl in Ontario
Sacramento, CA

More than 175 Leading Scientists Unite to Protect California’s Biodiversity

More than 175 scientists and researchers who live or work in California have joined together in an open letter urging California policymakers to enact Assembly
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Saw palmetto Okefenokee NWR
Folkston, GA

As Comment Period Ends, Thousands Push Back Against Proposed Mine Next to the Okefenokee Swamp

Today marks the end of a second public comment period in which the American public had the opportunity to voice their opposition to a proposed mining operation abutting the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
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Changes to Forest Habitat
Washington, D.C.

How Satellite Monitoring and Crowdsourcing Can Stop Habitat Loss

Defenders of Wildlife’s Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) is creating cutting-edge technology to help officials and the public track habitat loss.
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Renee Stone
Washington, DC

Renee Stone to be Defenders of Wildlife Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs

Today, Defenders of Wildlife announced the appointment of Renee Stone as the next Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs. She will be responsible for overseeing
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Mexican gray wolf
Washington, DC

Trump Orders Cuts in Regulations that ‘Inhibit Economic Recovery'

President Trump signed an executive order on May 19, directing agencies to identify deregulatory actions to spur economic growth. The order directs agency administrators to
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