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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Washington, DC

Trump administration announces plan to review regulations for bedrock environmental law

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) submitted an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking announcing the Trump administration’s plans to review the implementing regulations

Final Agreement for Yellowstone Buffalo Means Buffalo Can Go to Tribes

The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes along with their conservation partners remain steadfast that a program agreement to divert Yellowstone buffalo from slaughter and
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Gray Wolf
Washington, DC

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Considers Dropping Threatened, Endangered Wolves from Endangered Species Act

 According to a report by the Associated Press, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has begun a review of the status of the gray wolf. U.S. FWS is considering dropping threatened and endangered gray wolves across the lower 48 states from the Endangered Species Act.
Washington, DC

Continental Divide: Photo Exhibit Highlighting Border Wall Impacts

A new photo exhibit on Capitol Hill emphasizes the potential impacts a contiguous wall along our southern border would have on communities and wildlife. The
Washington, DC

Senate Releases Farm Bill with a Solid Foundation for Conserving Wildlife

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released the Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill) today. In addition to addressing traditional agricultural and food policy
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