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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Sand Mining Destroying Habitat of Rare Lizard in the Permian Basin

WASHINGTON – Defenders of Wildlife issued a new analysis today on the loss of habitat for the dunes sagebrush lizard in West Texas. Using satellite

Department of the Interior Draft Report Leaves Giant Sequoia and Other National Monuments at Risk

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2017) — Late Sunday, a leaked copy of the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Zinke’s recommendations on national monuments was

Trump administration working toward renewed drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Trump administration is quietly moving to allow energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for the first time in more than 30 years

Zinke Proposes to Monumentally Sell Out American Public, Wildlife and Wild Lands

WASHINGTON – Major news outlets last night publicized a memorandum by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke that recommends downsizing some national monuments and marine

Washington Post: Trump Administration Secretly Pushing Illegal Oil Exploration in the Arctic Refuge

WASHINGTON – The Washington Post reported today that the Trump administration is secretly taking the first steps towards opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to
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