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condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.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

California Governor gives "fast-tracked" renewable energy projects a jumpstart today

As part of an interim conservation strategy, the law requires the Department of Fish and Game to identify new places in the desert to protect that mitigate for the impacts any approved “fast-tracked” renewable energy projects may have on California’s lands, water and wildlife.
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closeup of California Tiger Salamander in grass
Doha, Qatar

Amphibians in pet trade win protections at CITES meeting

Five frog species and an Iranian salamander will be protected from unsustainable international trade thanks to a decision by the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES).
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Polar Bear
Anchorage, AK

New safeguards for polar bears voted down at CITES meeting

Defenders of Wildlife expressed its disappointment today over the decision by the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) not to give greater protection to the polar bear. The following is a statement by Peter Jenkins, Defenders’ Director of International Conservation.
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Pacific walrus
Washington, DC

Administration recognizes need for unified climate change adaptation strategy

Today, the White House released a report detailing the progress of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force. The report emphasized the need for a unified course of action on climate change adaptation, recommending key components to a national strategy.
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Golden Trout Wilderness in Sierra Nevada Mountain Range
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife calls on Congress to restore funding for National Wildlife Refuge System

The U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System, which fuels the economic engine of local communities in all 50 states, is under threat from an Obama Administration proposal to significantly cut the system's budget.
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