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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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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 Spotted Owl - Rosenburg - Oregon
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Issues Response to House Oversight Hearing on Wildlife Protection

Defenders of Wildlife slammed the extensive and egregious false claims of yesterday’s House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries hearing related
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Black-Footed Ferret Poking its Head Out
Washington, D.C.

Legal Protections for Wildlife in Jeopardy as House Holds Oversight Meeting

Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, will tomorrow hold her first hearing of
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Bison group on the move at sunrise in Lamar Valley
Billings, Mont.

Tribes, Conservation Groups Move to Defend Yellowstone Bison Plan in Court

The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, alongside conservation groups, today filed a motion to join a lawsuit to defend Yellowstone National Park’s science-based bison
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Re-Establishing Clean Water Act Standards Needed To Protect Vulnerable Ecosystems and Access to Clean Water

Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) introduced the Right to Clean Water Act, SB 601, to safeguard California’s water systems by enshrining into state law previous
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Rice's Whale
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on BOEM Rescission of Rice's Whale Recommendations

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has rescinded its Notice to Lessees and Operators, "Expanded Rice's Whale Protection Efforts During Reinitiated Consultation with NMFS," which
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