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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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 in green grass
Seattle, WA

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Governor Inslee's Letter on Washington Wolf Recovery

Statement by Quinn Read, Northwest Program Director for Defenders of Wildlife, on Governor Jay Inslee’s letter to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for changes to the wolf recovery program in Washington state
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Washington, DC

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in New Mexico, Texas

Conservation groups filed a lawsuit in federal district court today challenging the Trump administration’s continued failure to protect severely imperiled dunes sagebrush lizards under the
Santa Fe, NM

Defenders of Wildlife Receives Aquatic Habitat Connectivity Grant for Santa Fe National Forest

To better protect aquatic and riparian species in New Mexico, Defenders of Wildlife has been awarded a grant from the New Mexico’s Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program.
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California condor #568 perched atop a tree branch at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento, CA

Governor Newsom’s Veto Puts Water Agencies’ Threats Above Environmental Protection

California's Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1 (SB1) last night, a bill that would defend California's water, air and wildlife from rollbacks from the Trump administration.
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Border wall javelina

Senate Votes to Terminate National Emergency Declaration

Today, the Senate voted to pass a joint resolution to terminate the national emergency declaration made by President Trump in an attempt to bypass Congress
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