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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Forest Service Cuts Back Costly Wrangell Island Timber Sale

The Forest Service is downsizing the latest old-growth clearcut on the Tongass National Forest in response to market realities. The Wrangell Island timber sale is

Defenders of Wildlife Report Reveals Toxic Threat to Orcas

Defenders of Wildlife released a report today revealing multiple threats to Southern Resident orcas from pollution in the Salish Sea. These orcas are some of

LEGISLATION OPENS PRISTINE ARCTIC REFUGE TO DESTRUCTIVE OIL DRILLING

Last night, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislative language that would allow destructive oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, making fossil fuel development

New DOI Committee Promotes Trophy Hunting, Not Wildlife Conservation

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is establishing a so-called International Wildlife Conservation Council within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The council will

As state makes new commitments on Salton Sea timeline, it will be judged by its work on the ground

While applauding today’s agreement by the State of California to adhere to a specific timeline for Salton Sea restoration projects in the coming years, a
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