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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Conservation Organizations Oppose Weakening Roadless Rule Protections for the Tongass National Forest

In a comprehensive comment letter to the U.S. Forest Service , three conservation organizations, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Defense
Image
Python
London, UK

Peru Leads on New Regional Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Delegations for Latin American and North American countries met on October 10th in London to commit to future engagement on the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT), including poaching in Latin America, and to assess the potential for future coordinated action in the region.
Image
Border wall comparison Matt Clark/Defenders

Trump Administration Waives Environmental Laws to Build Border Wall through Texas National Wildlife Refuge

The Trump administration has announced that it will waive 28 federal environmental, planning, historic preservation and public safety laws in Hidalgo County, Texas, in an

Humboldt Martens Proposed for ESA Protection

Sristi Kamal, senior Northwest representative at Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement: “Today U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the right decision to recommend

Trump Administration Cuts Law Enforcement on National Wildlife Refuges

Jamie Rappaport Clark , Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement: “Federal law enforcement officers protect wildlife and habitat throughout the
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