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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

Senate Votes for Arctic Refuge Drilling in Tax Reform Bill

WASHINGTON ­– The United States Senate passed its version of the federal tax reform reconciliation bill by a vote of 51 to 49 early this

Plan for Mexican Gray Wolves Puts the “Lobo” on Path to Extinction

Today the Trump administration released its long-overdue recovery plan for Mexican gray wolves, one of the most endangered mammal species in North America with an

Arctic Refuge Drilling Approaches Senate Floor

WASHINGTON ­­– The United States Senate will likely vote on its version of the federal tax reform reconciliation bill this week, which includes a damaging

Industry-Driven Bill Guts Federal Safeguards Protecting Endangered Species from Toxic Pesticides

The pesticide industry is pushing legislation on Capitol Hill that would dismantle Endangered Species Act requirements to minimize pesticides’ harm to protected species like salmon

Senate Energy Committee Approves Destructive Arctic Drilling Legislation

Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved reconciliation legislation from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that would open the coastal plain of the Arctic
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