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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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2011.06.20 - Mojave Desert Tortoise - Mojave Desert - California - Nate Rathbun.jpg
ST. GEORGE, UTAH

Decades-Long Highway Fight Ends with Victory for Red Cliffs NCA

Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) signed a Record of Decision to deny a right-of-way for the
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Captive Red Wolf at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Columbia, NC

New Federal Grant For U.S. Hwy 64 Crossings Could Save Endangered Red Wolves And Other Wildlife

The Federal Highway Administration announced today that the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation will receive $25 million to build new wildlife crossing structures on U.S. 64 to help save the endangered Red Wolf from extinction.
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2009.04.10 - Florida Panther Traffic Sign - Heidi Ridgley - DOW
St. Petersburg, Fl.

Defenders Statement on 2024 Florida Panther Road Deaths

Defenders of Wildlife today responded to media reports claiming that 2024 has tied the record for number of Florida panthers killed by vehicles. Elizabeth Fleming
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Nantahala-Pisgah
Asheville, NC

Forest Service Urged to Amend Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan in Wake of Hurricane Helene

A coalition of conservation groups sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service this week, asking the agency to amend the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan due
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Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Applauds the Election of Rep. Huffman as Next Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources

Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO Andrew Bowman today issued the following statement in response to the Democratic Caucus’ unanimous vote to make Rep. Jared
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