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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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Border wall comparison Matt Clark/Defenders
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Condemns Senate Funding of Trump’s Border Wall

Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2019 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that includes $1.6 billion for border wall construction and

Lethal Removal Ordered on Chesnimnus Wolves

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) issued a lethal removal permit today for the Chesnimnus wolf pack area. The permit allows one wolf
Washington, DC

Anti-Wildlife House Farm Bill Passes

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) today (213-211). Commonly known as the Farm Bill, this legislation

Trump Executive Order Prioritizes Profit Over Ocean Protection

President Trump issued an Executive Order on June 19, 2018 overturning the National Ocean Policy established by President Obama in 2010 to safeguard our coasts
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Arctic fox
Washington, DC

Defenders Condemns Reckless Push for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling

An oil and gas leasing program on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska will jeopardize sensitive species, irreparably damage public
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