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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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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Adolescent gray wolf howling near Lamar River in Yellowstone
Denver, CO

Over 210,000 Coloradans Sign On for Wolf Reintroduction, Adding Initiative to 2020 Ballot

Today, volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund (RMWAF) submitted over 210,000 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State to place restoration of wolves on Colorado’s 2020 statewide ballot.
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Marbled murrelet
Portland, OR

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Revisits Marbled Murrelet Protections

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today voted to revisit their decision to deny greater protections for the marbled murrelet.
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Organ-pipe-cactus-national-monument
Tucson, Ariz.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Defenders of Wildlife Expert Available to Discuss Wildlife Impacts During Arizona Rally to Stop Border Wall Construction and Funding

Defenders of Wildlife Expert Available to Discuss Wildlife Impacts During Arizona Rally to Stop Border Wall Construction and Funding
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Capitol Building
Washington, DC

The ‘Recovering America’s Wildlife Act’ Fails to Adequately Respond to the Extinction Crisis

The House Natural Resources Committee today approved the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), H.R. 3742, introduced by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE).
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Red wolves playing
Raleigh, NC

Governor Cooper Demands U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recommit to Red Wolf Recovery Efforts

Today, Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) sent letters to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), urging the USFWS to work harder to save critically-endangered Red Wolves from extinction.
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