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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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Wolf from Wapiti Pack walks through Hayden Valley
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Raises a Rallying Howl for Wolf Awareness Week

Defenders of Wildlife founded national Wolf Awareness Week in 1996 to drive meaningful conversations about wolves’ ecological importance and why they deserve to be protected
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Porcupine Caribou move across a snowy plain on the East Fork of the Chandalar River
Washington, DC

Defenders Celebrates Refuge System’s Legacy of Species Protection and Outdoor Access

With close to 1 billion acres of protected lands and waters providing habitat for thousands of species and unrivaled outdoor recreational access for millions of Americans, Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating the remarkable legacy of the National Wildlife Refuge System today as we kick off National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8-14.
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-Marsh in Doty Ravine
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Newsom Signs 30x30 Law, Committing California to Biodiverse Future

Defenders of Wildlife applauds California Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing into law State Senate Bill 337 — a measure that commits to conserving 30% of
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Dr. Leah Gerber Award
Washington, DC

Defenders Recognizes Dr. Leah Gerber with Spirit of Defenders Award for Science

Defenders of Wildlife has awarded Dr. Leah Gerber, one of the world’s leading conservation scientists, with its Spirit of Defenders Award for Science. “We are
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2020.02.26 - Chinook Salmon - Spawing in Fall - Pacific Northwest - Ryan Hagerty-USFWS
Washington. DC

Biden Administration Recommits to Tribal Treaties, Endangered Salmon Restoration

Defenders of Wildlife applauds the Biden administration for its release of a presidential memo calling for federal agencies to take swift action to restore salmon populations across the Columbia and Snake River Basin.
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