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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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Sea otter mom and pup
San Francisco, CA

Court Calls Third Strike on Industry Challenges to Decision to End Failed Otter Translocation and “No Otter Zone” Program

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld two District Court decisions to end a failed government program known as the “No Otter Zone.” The
Tucson, AZ

Flat Mexican Wolf Count Points to Need for Increased Collaboration

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the official Mexican gray wolf count for 2017. According to the count, there are 114 lobos in

Montana Commission Denies Grizzly Bear Hunting in 2018

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) recommendation to not open a hunting season for Yellowstone grizzly bears in

'Recovering America’s Wildlife Act' Needs Improvement

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources is holding a legislative hearing today on five bills, including the “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act” (
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Bald eagle
Washington, DC

Budget Proposal Doubles Down on Disaster for Wildlife

President Trump released his proposed federal budget today that drastically cuts funding to vital wildlife agencies and programs, including endangered species recovery, wildlife trafficking prevention
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