Educating the public on living with wildlife is one of the missions of the Defenders of Wildlife organization. As communities have developed and spread out over once-natural habitats, animals have been displaced and ecosystems have been affected. Defenders aims to find solutions that support the coexistence of people and animals.
Defenders of Wildlife works with lawmakers, conservation professionals, community groups, and private landowners in order to limit the conflict between people and animals. For example, the organization educates ranchers on nonlethal methods to prevent livestock attacks and provides bear-resistant trash receptacles in areas where bears are prevalent. It also supports research and legislation on animal issues. In fact, Defenders of Wildlife worked closely with agency officials on the wolf coexistence plan that passed in Oregon in 2011.