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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Trump Administrations Sage-Grouse Conservation Plans Threaten Conservation of the Species

WASHINGTON (December 6, 2018) - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has posted six Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendments and Final Environmental Impact Statements today
Albuquerque

Forest Service Revokes Grazing Permit Over Death of Mexican Gray Wolf

The U.S. Forest Service has revoked the grazing permit of a New Mexico rancher for the 2015 death of a Mexican gray wolf. The endangered

National Marine Fisheries Service Authorizes Seismic Airgun Blasting

Today the National Marine Fisheries Service will authorize five companies to conduct seismic airgun blasting activities that will harm marine mammals like dolphins and whales
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close up of Red Wolf walking in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delays Deadly Plan for Red Wolves

Last night, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a delay of the proposed rule for Red Wolves because of the federal court ruling issued

Trump Administration Exploits Wildfires to Push Environmental Waivers, Destroy Forest Safeguards

Yesterday, Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke published an opinion article on CNN.com with a call to Congress to leverage the Farm Bill to reopen a
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