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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Washington, DC

Giant Manta Ray Proposed for Listing

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed to list the giant manta ray as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NMFS now has until November 10, 2017 to determine if the species will receive a final listing decision.

Restore the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades

For Immediate Release 1/12/2017 Restore the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades Release of restoration strategies welcomed as a historic step towards recovery of North
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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Washington, DC

Members of Congress Attempt to Remove Protections for Gray Wolves

U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (WY-Al) introduced a bill in Congress on Jan. 10 to permanently remove gray wolves from the endangered species list and prevent the delisting from being subject to judicial review and lawsuits.

Feds Review U.S. Coal Program, Reforms Needed to Account for Coal’s Environmental Impacts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jared Saylor, (202) 772-3255; jsaylor@defenders.org Feds Review U.S. Coal Program, Reforms Needed to Account for Coal’s Environmental Impacts WASHINGTON, D.C. (January

New Plan Shines Light on Steps to Polar Bear Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2017 Contact: Leigh Anne Tiffany; (202) 772-0259; ltiffany@defenders.org New Plan Shines Light on Steps to Polar Bear Recovery Anchorage, AK
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