Weekly News Roundup: BP Attacks Science and NWF, and more

Almost four years since the Gulf oil disaster in 2010, Gulf wildlife continues to suffer. National Wildlife Federation’s newly released report provides evidence of the ongoing environmental impacts of the Gulf oil disaster. For a hands-on look at environmental impacts, boat tours were provided to reporters in conjunction to the release of the report.

While the latest science provides hard facts on the unending struggles of Gulf wildlife, BP has escalated their denial campaigns, attacking the National Wildlife Federation for their passion to protect wildlife. Four years after the Gulf Oil disaster, BP continues to hold back the truth.

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Take Action: Ask the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to hold BP fully accountable!

In lighter news, NWF was featured in “A Fierce Green Fire” on PBS, announced their first NWF Community Wildlife Habitat winner in Tennessee and Green School award winners in Texas!

What’s happening at the National Wildlife Federation this week?

Outdoor Businesses urge Stronger Stance on Public Lands

Lyn WiniansApril 15 – Business owners who cater to sportsmen delivered a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell urging her to take a strong stance on maintaining healthy populations of fish and wildlife on public lands – lands on which their businesses rely heavily.

Representatives of 50 different outdoor-oriented businesses and Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development (SFRED) wrote the letter to Jewell to request that she support balance between outdoor recreation and energy development on public lands.

Call for Applicants for National Wildlife Federation’s Emerging Leadership Fellowship Program

woman and turbineApril 15 – Interested in career development and leadership opportunities within the conservation movement? The National Wildlife Federation is accepting applications for the 2014 class of the Emerging Leadership Fellowship Program.  Young professionals and current students between the ages of 21 and 35 are invited to enter by April 30, 2014, at: www.nwf.org/Fellows.

Last year, the program expanded to provide fellowship opportunities not only to current students, but also to post-graduate, young professionals (ages 21-35) interested in career development and leadership opportunities within the conservation movement.

Green Schools Awards go to Williams, Brentwood and Cunningham Elementary Schools in Austin and Hawthorne, Lamar and Martin Elementary Schools in San Antonio

Stroud Leaf PackApril 16 – A Partnership of the U. S. Green Building Council Central Texas Chapter and the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA Program, the Central Texas Green Schools Challenge culminated with the selection of three top-performing schools each in Austin and San Antonio.

The goals of the program include energizing a sustainability curriculum in the school systems, promoting environmental stewardship within local communities, lowering school operating and maintenance costs and reducing their carbon footprints.

Brandon Cole Named Ranger Rick Magazine Photographer of the Year

Ranger Rick Photo Contest WinnerApril 11 – Ranger Rick magazine and National Wildlife Federation are proud to announce that Brandon Cole, of Spokane, Washington, has been named winner of the Ranger Rick 2013 Photographer of the Year award. This award is given to the photographer who best advances the mission of the children’s magazine with exciting, informative, and spectacular eye-popping photographs.

Cole’s photos appeared last year in major stories in Ranger Rickmagazine and captured a wide range of stunning marine life, including manta rays, humpback whales, starfish, and other exotic sea creatures.

Four Years Later, BP Attacks Science, Shirks Responsibility

Leilani MunterApril 17 – Four years ago this Sunday, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 men and sending more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

But even as a new National Wildlife Federation report documents the spill’s impacts on 14 species of wildlife, BP is dramatically escalating its denial campaign, rejecting the science and attacking our organization for taking reporters to some of the most heavily-damaged areas.

NWF in the News:

Tampa Bay Fox News: Much of BP damage money remains unspent

“There needs to be a plan,” said David White, director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Restoration Project. “Without a plan then we’re going to wind potentially with random acts of restoration.”

Star-Gazette: Environmental Groups want Extensive Crude-oil review in NY

“Among the 11 groups who signed on to the letter were Environmental Advocates of New York, Citizen Action, Scenic Hudson and the National Wildlife Federation.”

The Advertiser: Barataria Bay still struggling 4 years after BP oil spill

“Cat Island in the middle of Barataria Bay would have been filled with nesting pelicans and other migratory birds before the BP spill, but Dave Muth from the National Wildlife Federation said oil washed ashore killing the mangroves and ultimately killing the island as a bird habitat.”

OaklandLocal: Oakland-based Outdoor Afro founder wins Wildlife Federation Achievement Award

“The founder of the website “Outdoor Afro,” Rue Mapp of Oakland, has been selected as the   recipient of the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) 2014 Communications award.”

Napa Valley Register: Go Online with Wildlife Nation to get kids outdoors

“The National Wildlife Federation has worked to connect children and youth with nature for decades, inspiring children through Ranger Rick magazine, working with educators to get kids learning outdoors, and helping parents find new ways to engage their children outside.”

The Brooklyn Paper: Eco-conscious Carroll Gardens School gets green-thumbs-up

“The elementary school bagged a Green Flag award from the National Wildlife Federation and eco-minded pupils took full advantage of the opportunity to gab about their planet-cleaning efforts, a school rep said.”