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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Partners Unite on Electric Fencing Project to Reduce Bear Conflicts at Local Orchard

Defenders of Wildlife, USDA Wildlife Services and the Natural Resources Defense Council have partnered with the Noble Orchard Company to install electric fencing at the

Trump Pardons Men Convicted of Setting Fires on Public Lands

Today President Trump pardoned Dwight and Steven Hammond, who were convicted in 2012 of intentionally setting fires on public lands. The Hammonds’ resentencing and return

Good News for Hellbender Habitat: Grant Funds Conservation Work for Vulnerable Salamander

Defenders of Wildlife and our partners in the Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative , including the Conservation Management Institute at Virginia Tech, the USDA Natural Resources
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Announces Director of the Center for Conservation Innovation

Defenders of Wildlife has promoted Jacob Malcom to be Director of the Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI). Dr. Malcom came to Defenders in January 2015

Defenders of Wildlife Reacts to Scott Pruitt Resignation

The following statement is from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife on the announcement of Scott Pruitt’s resignation as Administrator
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