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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Defenders Responds to News Copper Creek Pack will be Returned to the Wild

Following Colorado Parks and Wildlife's announcement that it intends to return the remaining members of the Copper Creek wolf pack into the wild, Defenders of Wildlife issued this response.
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2018.8.27 - Eastern Hellbender Profile on Rock Underwater - Isaac Szabo
Washington, DC

Proposed ESA Listing for Eastern Hellbender Comes Not a Moment Too Soon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to list the eastern hellbender salamander as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, providing critical protections to
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2023.11.19 - Pinyon Jays in tree - Topaz Lake, Nevada -  by JC Bleam.jpg

Defenders Lawsuit Challenges Failure to Protect Pinyon Jay

Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for violating the Endangered Species
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Monarch Butterfly
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Applauds Overdue Listing for Monarch Butterfly

“The protections that come with Endangered Species Act listing increase the chance that these precious pollinators will rebound and recover throughout their historic range," said Defenders' Andrew Carter.
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cotton grass with mountain range in background at Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Defenders Appalled by Oil and Gas Lease Sales Set to Open in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Defenders condemns plans to open ANWR's coastal plain to oil and gas leasing, threatening the Porcupine caribou herd and the Gwich'in people who depend on them.
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