Andrew Wetzler is Director of NRDC’s Land and Wildlife Program and is based in NRDC’s Chicago, Illinois, office. Andrew’s program focuses on wildlife and habitat conservation and open space preservation.  While at NRDC, he worked to conserve a wide variety of individual species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), and has also been deeply involved in Congressional and Administrative efforts to defend and strengthen the ESA.  Andrew also worked on a wide range of wildlife initiatives, such as protecting California condors from lead poisoning, litigation to curb the impacts of U.S. Navy sonar systems on marine mammals. He leads NRDC’s polar bear protection efforts, including international efforts to protect polar bears and other species through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.