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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Tucson, AZ

Court Rejects Flawed Mexican Gray Wolf Rule

A federal judge today rejected provisions in a 2015 federal management rule that unlawfully imposed roadblocks to recovery of the endangered Mexican wolf. The rule

Washington Voters Value Wild Salmon Over Lower Snake River Dams

Fishing and conservation groups released a new poll confirming Washington residents care deeply about wild salmon and want to see these iconic Northwest fish restored
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Washington, DC

How to Improve Conservation of Wildlife and Habitat in the Farm Bill

Defenders of Wildlife’s recommendations on the 2018 farm bill focus on strengthening the administration, implementation and accountability of conservation programs in the legislation, while also benefiting landowners working to achieve conservation goals.
Washington, DC

20 Years Later: Mexican Gray Wolves Still Fighting for Recovery

Today marks the 20 th anniversary of the release of Mexican gray wolves into the wild of Arizona. On March 29, 1998, the U.S. Fish

Help for Hellbenders: Private Lands Conservation Program Includes Giant Appalachian Salamanders

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the addition of five new wildlife conservation projects to its Working Lands for
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