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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

More than 180,000 Americans Oppose Trump’s Plan to Cripple Migratory Bird Protections

AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY * CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY * DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE * NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY * NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE More
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Eastern Bluebird
Washington, DC

Retired Communications Professionals Blast U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Press Release

According to PEER, 10 prominent retired public affairs, communications and outreach professionals have criticized their former agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), for violating press relations norms and fairness policies in a complaint to the Inspector General.
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Mexican Gray Wolf
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Despite Increase in Mexican Wolf Count Numbers, Recovery Challenges Remain

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the official Mexican gray wolf population count for 2019.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Juneau, AK

Federal Court Rules Against Massive Old-Growth Rainforest Logging Plan in Alaska

A federal judge today rejected an enormous commercial timber harvest and road-building plan for Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Governor Signs Crucial Bill Prohibiting Wildlife Trafficking

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham officially signed the Wildlife Trafficking Act (SB 75) that prohibits wildlife trafficking and allows New Mexico to prosecute offenders.
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