National Wild Life News

American Girl’s New 2010 Girl Of The Year Inspires Kids To Get Outdoors

Middleton, WI—Has childhood play officially moved indoors? Convincing research shows that today’s children spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation, leading to inactivity and increases in childhood obesity, attention deficit disorders, and even depression. To help reverse these trends and encourage girls to get outdoors, American Girl® is proud to introduce LanieTM, the 2010 Girl of the Year®, a thoughtful, energetic girl who discovers the world in her own backyard. Available for only one year, Lanie will launch with two books that tell her story, a golden-haired 18-inch Lanie doll, and an array of fun accessories. To further inspire girls, American Girl is introducing Lanie’s Backyard Photo Contest, free classroom curriculum materials, and a partnership with the National Wildlife Federation® (NWF), a national nonprofit that has more than 70 years of experience fostering a connection to nature in Americans of all ages.

American Girl is supporting National Wildlif...

Categories: Wildlife News

Overwhelming Majority of Americans Support Global Warming Action

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 23, 2009) – The overwhelming majority of Americans support action to limit carbon pollution and move the U.S. toward a clean energy future, according to a new poll (PDF) released today by National Wildlife Federation.

“The American people can't be more clear when it comes to solving global warming: they want the U.S. to be Rudolph out in front of the sleigh, leading the world toward a clean energy future,” said Jeremy Symons, senior vice president of NWF. “There is overwhelming public support for the Senate to pass legislation with firm limits on carbon pollution that will stimulate massive new investments in clean energy technologies.”

American voters demonstrate a strong desire for the U.S. to transition toward a low-carbon economy, with strong support among Independents:* Strikingly, 82 percent voters and 80 percent of Independents support the U.S. government in...

Categories: Wildlife News

A Different Kind of TIME OUT

Many will once again resolve to get organized or lose ten pounds in the new year, but National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is recommending a resolution with profound impacts because it recaptures an essential part of childhood, outdoor play. By making the 2010 Be Out There Resolution to spend more time outside in 2010, Americans will be making a resolution that’s both good for their families and fun to keep. Everyone who makes the 2010 Be Out There Resolution will receive the Know, Go and Grow Be Out There Toolkit with important facts, fun tips and interactive tools to help them keep the resolution.

Outdoor time significantly enhances children’s physical and mental well-being, but, sadly, today’s kids don’t get much. In the last two decades, childhood has moved indoors. While previous generations ran around in nature until called in for dinner, modern children spend only four to seven minutes outdoors per day. Research in the fields...

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Best of 2009 Conservation Successes

2009 was a year of outstanding conservation successes, as reflected in the following topics of 2009’s Top 10 Conservation Successes. A summary of 2009 accomplishments specific to National Wildlife Federation’s work (PDF) is also available.

1. Global Warming

• EPA endangerment finding
  The Environmental Protection Agency made final its determination that global warming pollution constitutes a public danger and is virtually certain to act boldly under its authority under the Clean Air Act. The news came just as international climate talks began in Copenhagen. (Link)
  
  
• U.S. House passes American Clean Energy & Security Act
  The legislation will establish a new U.S. energy policy that reduces dependence on foreign oil and builds a new, domestic clean technology manufacturing base to supply wind, solar, and other renewable energy. The bill also t...

  Categories: Wildlife News

NWF: Clinton Announcement "Sets Up an Important Moment for the World"

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (December 17, 2009) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced in Copenhagen on Thursday that the United States will contribute to a $100 billion fund to help developing nations deal with climate change, provided that an effective climate agreement is reached here.

The following statement is by Jeremy Symons, senior vice president, National Wildlife Federation:

“Secretary of State Clinton’s announcement today sets up an important moment for the world that for the first time offers a clear path forward to cut pollution, protect tropical forests and provide humanitarian aid to those in harm’s way. As the world’s leaders converge tomorrow, they have an historic opportunity to break through years of stalemate. President Obama continues to show his leadership on climate change at every opportunity. His personal engagement is needed now more than ever, and he is coming to Copenhagen at just the right time."

***

For Immediate Re...

Categories: Wildlife News

Double Trouble for Polar Bears: Melting Arctic Sea Ice and Offshore Oil Development

The combination of near-record Arctic sea-ice loss and continued development of oil and gas in proposed polar bear critical habitat spells double trouble for Alaska’s polar bears, according to a new report issued by the National Wildlife Federation and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. Mapping out recently proposed polar bear critical habitat relative to approved offshore oil development and recent trends in sea-ice decline, Double Trouble: Melting Arctic Sea Ice and Offshore Oil Development highlights the multiple threats facing polar bears in Alaska.

Categories: Wildlife News

Double Trouble for Polar Bears: Melting Arctic Sea Ice and Offshore Oil Development

The combination of near-record Arctic sea-ice loss and continued development of oil and gas in proposed polar bear critical habitat spells double trouble for Alaska’s polar bears, according to a new report issued by the National Wildlife Federation and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. Mapping out recently proposed polar bear critical habitat relative to approved offshore oil development and recent trends in sea-ice decline, Double Trouble: Melting Arctic Sea Ice and Offshore Oil Development highlights the multiple threats facing polar bears in Alaska.

“The Department of Interior is undermining its own efforts to protect polar bears by promoting oil and gas development in some of the same areas it proposes to designate as critical habitat,” said Dr. Doug Inkley, senior scientist at the National Wildlife Federation. “If ever there was a case for erring on the side of caution this is it. Instead, DOI is recklessly moving fo...

Categories: Wildlife News

Nature Offers Relief for Holiday Stress

December 15 (Reston, VA.) - Holiday madness is in full swing; shopping, cooking, cleaning, parties, out-of-town relatives. Even the kids feel stressed out with all the anticipation and distracted parents, and “Why does Aunt Sara have to stay in my room?” However there is a great antidote when things get hectic and overwhelming, head outdoors. Even if there is a chill in the air, time outside connecting with nature can lower the stress level, revive the spirits, and add to the enchantment of the season.

National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There campaign has a few ideas to make the outdoors a welcome escape from holiday overload:

Outdoor Tree-Trimming – Adopt a tree in your yard or neighborhood – find out what kind it is, and decide to visit it at least once every season. Decorate it with things birds like to eat; lots of ideas at www.greenhour.org/birdcafe

Scavenger Hunt – Give the kids a list...

Categories: Wildlife News

Two national conservation organizations combine forces to improve U.S. nature education and help young people save the planet – one tree at a time.

National Wildlife Federation and the national tree-planting and youth education organization, Erthnxt, have combined forces to further environmental literacy, youth volunteerism, habitat restoration, and reversing global warming.

“Erthnxt and its Trees For The 21st Century program share a common purpose with National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to confront global warming, protect and restore habitats and connect people and nature, and we’re thrilled to build on our shared goals,” said National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Larry Schweiger.

Erthnxt joins a suite of National Wildlife Federation’s educational programs, among them Eco-Schools USA, the Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat Program, Campus Ecology, community and backyard habitat certifications, and will be an important part of NWF’s Be Out There campaign to connect children and families to the outdoors.

“This could not come at a better time for both organizations as we work to pr...

Categories: Wildlife News

Tripartisan Senate Climate Plan Breaks Political Stalemate

Today Senators Graham, Kerry and Lieberman introduced a ‘tripartisan’ framework for comprehensive climate and energy legislation. The news comes just as international climate talks begin in Copenhagen and is expected to demonstrate serious U.S. resolve to confront the climate crisis.

Joe Mendelson, global warming policy director for National Wildlife Federation said:

“These senators have bypassed the political stalemate on energy and the environment and have found a third way forward.

“This partnership clears a non-partisan path forward in the Senate for 2010. It’s refreshing to see senators who are willing to work together and confront the challenges America faces rather than try and score political points while nothing gets done.

“The announcement enhances the prospects of congressional action and strengthens the president’s hand as he works to lead China and other nations toward a global deal to fight climate change.”

Categories: Wildlife News

Restoring the Longleaf Pine: Preparing the Southeast for Global Warming

A good-news global warming story about a pine tree with a storied past promises that a back-to-the-future approach will provide economic opportunities and help prepare the southeastern U.S. for a changing climate.

Restoring longleaf pine ecosystems across the Southeast will boost the economy and help the region cope with global warming’s expanding effects, according to a new report from national and regional conservation groups. Standing Tall: How Restoring the Longleaf Pine Can Help Prepare the Southeast for Global Warming (PDF) is being released today by the National Wildlife Federation and two southeast forest conservation groups, America’s Longleaf, and The Longleaf Alliance.

The report highlights the latest scientific research on global warming’s effects in the Southeast and how it puts southern forests at risk. The report also describes how...

Categories: Wildlife News

Launch of America’s Great Waters Coalition

An alliance representing more than 30 organizations came together today with lawmakers from across the nation to launch America’s Great Waters Coalition, representing 9 of the largest water ecosystems in 27 of the lower 48 states—and involving nearly half of the country’s population.

From the Chesapeake to Puget Sound, from the Great Lakes to the Everglades—the nation’s great waters are the backbone of America’s economy and way of life. However, America’s great waters face urgent threats, including sewage contamination, invasive species, habitat destruction and climate change. The nation’s commitment to our great waters has not kept pace with these urgent threats, impacting people, businesses, communities and wildlife.

“The degradation of our nation’s great waters has a serious environmental and economic impact on our communities,” said Congresswoman E...

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Dramatic U.S. Clean Air Act Action Gives Obama Strong Cards at Copenhagen

Washington, DC (December 7, 2009) - Today the Environmental Protection Agency made final its determination that global warming pollution constitutes a public danger and is virtually certain to act boldly under its authority under the Clean Air Act. The news comes just as international climate talks begin in Copenhagen.

Joe Mendelson, Global Warming Policy Director for National Wildlife Federation served as co-counsel throughout the landmark case (Mass. v EPA) that resulted in this decision. Mendelson hailed the decision, saying:

“This action clears the way for serious measures to reduce the pollution that is accelerating global warming, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Obama administration’s action today enforces the Clean Air Act and strengthens the President’s hand for the upcoming talks to forge a global deal to fight climate...

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Obama Scheduling Change Boosts Momentum at Copenhagen

Washington, DC (December 4, 2009) - Today the White House announced President Obama was changing his travel plans and would head to international climate negotiations in Copenhagen during the critical closing days of the summit, rather than at the outset.

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of National Wildlife Federation, said:

“I applaud President Obama's continued leadership to protect our children's future from the urgent threat of climate change. By attending the global climate talks in Copenhagen during the heart of the negotiations, President Obama can make the difference between inaction and action, between failure and success.

“Thanks to his administration's actions to reduce global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act, President Obama is the first president to go to the global negotiating table with cards to play and a real commitment by the United States to act.

“President Obama recognizes that the Copenhagen talks are an unprec...

Categories: Wildlife News

Obama Administration Takes Important Steps Toward Modernizing Federal Water Project Planning

The draft water resources planning guidance released today by the Council on Environmental Quality represents a vital first step in modernizing our nation’s water policies to protect communities from global warming impacts and to plan for the nation’s water needs in the 21st century.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Congress recognized it was time to fundamentally change the way flood control, navigation and other water projects are planned and built,” said David Conrad, senior resource specialist, National Wildlife Federation. “Today, the Obama Administration has taken a vital step toward recognizing the critical importance of our nation’s rivers, coasts, and wetlands -- and setting the stage for the fundamental changes needed to protect these vital resources.”

“For too long, our nation's water resources have been steered by outdated guidelines that favored development over all else,” said Andrew Fahlund, vice president of Conservation...

Categories: Wildlife News

Obama Goes to Copenhagen with “Cards to Play”

Washington, DC (December 2, 2009) - Last week President Obama unveiled 2020 greenhouse gas reductions target for the United States and declared he would attend the historic international climate negotiations in Copenhagen next week.

In a press availability today, U.S. NGO experts discussed the significance of these and other key developments heading into the COP 15 Copenhagen summit, December 7-18.

Jeremy Symons, Senior Vice President for Conservation and Education of National Wildlife Federation, participated in the event and released the following statement afterward:

“This is the first time in history that a president will sit down at the climate negotiating table holding some cards to play.

“The House-passed American Clean Energy & Security Act is one of the few major initiatives in Congress this year that passed with bipartisan support and certainly strengthens his hand. Never before has a bill cleared a chamber of Congress with enforceable g...

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Army Corps Liable For Katrina Flooding

Statement by Larry Schweiger
President & CEO, National Wildlife Federation

On Federal District Court Ruling Army Corps of Engineers
Liable for Damages Caused in Katrina Flooding

“We are just beginning to witness the fallout in New Orleans where a Federal District Judge ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is not immune when its negligence results in a major flood disaster.

“The Court decision is yet another wake-up call for the Administration and Congress to make changes to federal water policies to better protect people, communities, and the environment as well as ensure that taxpayer dollars are wisely spent.

“The Court decision confirms what’s been known for some time: that an ill-conceived and poorly maintained navigation channel acted as a hurricane funnel – unleashing a storm surge that flooded the Lower 9th Ward and others parts of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. Congress and the Administration...

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Generation E: Students Leading for a Sustainable, Clean Energy Future

RESTON, Va. (November 18)—National Wildlife Federation today released its new study of Generation E: Students Leading for a Sustainable, Clean Energy Future, which highlights the unique and critical role college students are playing in reforming sustainability programs that lower their campus’ carbon footprint.

“We scouted projects at more than 160 colleges and universities all across the country. In more than 20 years of supporting student environmental leaders, we've never seen this extraordinary degree of student engagement and creativity around sustainability at every level,” said Julian Keniry, Senior Director of Campus and Community Leadership, for National Wildlife Federation. “Our findings demolish the myth that students are apathetic or sitting on the sidelines. Their voices are rising up in ways we haven’t heard since the civil rights or the peace movements of the ‘60s and ‘70s, but the irony is, we are finding that most campus educato...

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House Natural Resources Committee Approves Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act

The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources today approved legislation expanding key watershed and environmental education programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) introduced the bipartisan legislation in September to improve ocean, coastal, and watershed education and literacy. H.R. 3644, the Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act, would authorize a national Environmental Literacy Grant program as well as a regional Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program focused on local watershed education.

Kevin Coyle, NWF’s Vice President for Education and Training, said today:
“This legislation will provide opportunities for young people to ‘Be Out There’ experiencing the...

Categories: Wildlife News

Former Virginia Sen. John Warner Honored For Conservation Leadership

America’s largest conservation organization dedicated to protecting wildlife has honored former Sen. John Warner of Virginia with its National Conservation Achievement Award for his extraordinary environmental leadership in the political and nonprofit sectors. Former Sen. Warner's award as “Conservationist of the Year” from National Wildlife Federation was announced at the organization’s annual awards banquet in Washington, D.C. last night.

A leader and fighter for the public interest for the better part of a half century of his public and professional life, Warner continues as a vocal champion of global climate action and a trailblazer for new initiatives to increase America’s energy independence. Since leaving the Senate early this year, Warner has worked with the Pew Environment Group to bring together state and municipal governments, the Administration, and military, security and climate experts to explore new strategies to address global climate change, strengthen our...

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