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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

U.S. Forest Service Moves Backwards on Old-Growth Logging

Today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Prince of Wales Landscape Level Analysis project , proposing massive
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close up of Red Wolf walking in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Fish and Wildlife Service Status Review Shows Red Wolf is in Crisis

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released its Species Status Assessment (SSA) and five-year review for the critically endangered Red Wolf. Red wolves

Defenders of Wildlife Testifies in Support of Protecting Marine Mammals

Defenders of Wildlife Senior Attorney Jane Davenport will testify at a hearing titled “Enhancing the Marine Mammal Protections Act” to be held by the Senate
Washington, DC

Mexican Government Expands Endangered Vaquita Refuge Area

Today the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico took action to expand the refuge area for the vaquita in the Gulf of California
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Royal Tern
Washington, DC

Trump Administration Strips Migratory Bird Protections Right Before Deepwater Horizon Spill Disaster Anniversary

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, which killed 11 people and spilled more than 210 million gallons of oil in 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