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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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A pygmy rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis) feeds on sagebrush during the winter on Seedskadee NWR
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds BLM’s Conservation and Land Health Rule that Modernizes Land Management

In a win for wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today published a new rule designed to correct a long-standing imbalance that had subordinated conservation to oil and gas development and other extractive activities to the detriment of wildlife and natural places. Despite their importance for conserving biodiversity in the United States and globally, only 14% of BLM lands receive adequate protections and most are open to extractive uses.
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Red Wolf - B.Bartel-USFWS
Washington, DC

Congress Urged to Spend $857 Million to Fully Fund Endangered Species Protection

More than 115 conservation groups urged Congress today to significantly increase the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s budget for endangered species conservation from $329 million
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2020.12.05 - Ocelot OF343 Trail Cam - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Texas - USFWS.jpg
TEXAS

Ocelot Killed by Car 50 Miles from Known Habitat Could Modify Range

Based on DNA results from a male ocelot found dead three years ago in Hidalgo County the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and
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Florida Manatee
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement Opposing “America’s Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Act” Set for Markup

Defenders of Wildlife staunchly opposes today’s House Natural Resources Committee markup of “America’s Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Act” sponsored by chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). Rep
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2020.03.25 - Gray wolf - Oregon - ODFW
Denver, CO

Defenders Responds to Reports of Torture of Gray Wolf by Wyoming Man

Defenders of Wildlife recently learned of a horrific incident regarding the torture of a juvenile gray wolf by a Wyoming man. Michael Saul, Rockies and
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