Want to know what National Wildlife Federation was up to this week? Here is a recap of the week’s National Wildlife Federation news:

National Wildlife Federation Announces New Ranger Rick Geocache Trails

June 17, 2011 – National Wildlife Federation is launching Ranger Rick’s Geocache Trails, a fun outdoor adventure for kids and their families. To establish trails in numerous communities throughout the country, National Wildlife Federation is looking for more parks, nature centers, and other outdoor recreational sites to serve as trail hosts in their area. Ranger Rick’s trails marry GPS-enabled treasure hunting, or geocaching, with a wildlife-themed game featuring Ranger Rick and his pals from the award-winning children’s magazine published by National Wildlife Federation.

Ranger Rick Joins Maryland First Lady Katie O’Malley for Great American Backyard Campout Event

June 16, 2011 – First Lady Katie O’Malley kicked-off the Great American Backyard Campout with help from the National Wildlife Federation and Maryland Park Service by pitching a tent with a group of local kids on the Government House lawn. “Camp under the stars” is one of ten outdoor activities that make up the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley in 2009.

House Appropriations Committee Blocks Clean Water Protections

June 16, 2011 – The House Appropriations Committee recently blocked efforts to restore Clean Water Act protections for streams that supply drinking water to 117 million Americans and wetlands that provide flood protection and critical fish and wildlife habitat. The committee rejected an amendment by Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) that would have allowed the Army Corps of Engineers to revise guidance to its staff on this issue. By voting against this amendment, the Appropriations Committee is upholding a dangerous status quo of wetlands loss, stream impairment, and regulatory confusion.

National Wildlife Federation Tells Congress to Stop Playing with America’s Food and Energy Security

June 16, 2011 – Today, the House voted to slash over $1 billion in conservation and renewable energy funding from programs that help farmers, ranchers, and foresters across the country to protect soil, conserve water, enhance wildlife habitat, and help America meet its growing energy demands. The conservation programs that were cut directly benefit sportsmen and rural economies through the creation of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities.

National Wildlife Federation Applauds Senate Vote to End Ethanol Subsidies

June 16, 2011 – Recently, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to end more than $6 billion in ethanol subsidies. The move will save taxpayers money and protect wildlife and the environment. “The National Wildlife Federation praises today’s congressional action to end wasteful and damaging ethanol subsidies,” said Julie Sibbing, director of the agriculture program for the National Wildlife Federation.

Virginia Middle School Awarded Second Public Green Flag Award

June 15, 2011 – Just one week after America’s first public Green Flag was raised in Boston, the second followed some 460 miles to the south. Fairfax’s Lanier Middle School was awarded Virginia’s first Eco-Schools USA Green Flag—just the second American public school so honored—in a ceremony today, denoting exceptional achievement in ‘greening’ school grounds, operations and curricula.

Keystone XL Tar Sands Bill Clears House Subcommittee

June 15, 2011 – A subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation today that forces the Obama administration to make a decision on the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline by November. The bill is expected to pass the full committee next week and would likely get a floor vote next month.

National Wildlife Federation Brings Climate-Smart Conservation to the Great Lakes

June 15, 2011 – Climate change is bringing new challenges to the Great Lakes region and changing the way communities think about conservation. The National Wildlife Federation and EcoAdapt are working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to reduce the vulnerability of the Great Lakes area by developing methods to ensure that coastal planning and restoration projects are “climate-smart.”

High School Students Use their Talents to Raise Money for Wildlife

June 15, 2011 – Environmental Clubs from Grayslake North and Central High Schools in Grayslake, Illinois, celebrated Earth Week 2011 with a benefit talent show where all proceeds were used to adopt animals from the National Wildlife Federation’s Adopt An Animal program.

Sportsmen To Congress: Use Oil Spill Fines to Restore the Gulf

June 14, 2011 – Outdoor industry leaders from across the country are meeting with their members of Congress today, urging them to dedicate the Clean Water Act penalties from last summer’s oil spill towards restoring the Gulf.

NWF to Honor Lawrence Bender, Anderson Cooper, Alyssa Milano, and Howard Ruby

June 13, 2011 – As the National Wildlife Federation continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, the organization will honor four individuals committed to protecting wildlife during its “Voices For Wildlife” gala, to be held at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on June 15.

Bighorn Sheep Victory in Payette National Forest

June 13, 2011 – It looks like America’s iconic bighorn sheep will be regaining their home on the range. In a landmark decision Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell approved a management plan to phase out domestic sheep grazing on 70,000 acres of bighorn habitat in Payette National Forest. This decision brings to a head a decades-old conflict between the sheep industry and conservationists.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News