Weekly News Roundup: California Mountain Lions are Winning and more

The pursuit of a new wildlife crossing in Los Angeles is in the works thanks to the combined effort of the National Wildlife Federation, California Department of Transportation and our affiliate the Santa Monica Mountains Fund. The crossing would connect two areas of open space that are currently protected by the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area. California mountain lions have long been impacted by U.S. Route 101 when searching for habitat, and this wildlife crossing will help ensure wildlife are no longer struck and killed by vehicles.

In other news, what do you know about dead trees? Did you know they provide habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife nationwide? Take a second to learn about the different species you might come across the next time you see a log nearby!

Please don’t forget that your support is needed to help protect wildlife. Help out mountain lions and other wildlife by donating today!

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

Groups to Highlight Greater Detroit Conservation Efforts for New National Wildlife Federation CEO Collin O’Mara

August 1 – Connecting children to wildlife and nature at a time when kids are spending more and more time indoors. Restoring local rivers and harbors that have been degraded for decades. Helping communities that have been exposed to higher levels of pollution. These conservation challenges—and solutions to remedy them—will be highlighted during an all-day tour today around greater Detroit and Ann Arbor.

NWF: Bill on drilling permits could be vehicle to fund well inspections

July 29 – A proposal to extend a pilot program aimed at preventing backlogs of drilling applications for federal lands provides an opportunity to address another backlog – uninspected oil and gas wells on our public lands.

“The Bureau of Land Management says about 7,000 drilling permits that have been approved are sitting idle. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office says the BLM has failed to inspect thousands of wells that could pose threats to the environment,” Zimmerman said. “If we don’t adequately fund and staff the agencies charged with ensuring that energy development is carried out responsibly, we risk polluting our air and water, endangering fish and wildlife and losing the ability to hunt, fish and recreate on public lands.”

Senators Support Clean Water Act Rulemaking

July 31 – This afternoon, Senator Debbie Stabenow and 12 other senators sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture supporting the current rulemaking process to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act and encouraging constructive use of this process to clarify matters of concern to the agricultural industry.

Three of the National Wildlife Federation’s state affiliates thanked the senators for their support of the rule and its extended public comment opportunity.

Sportsmen applaud hearings on renewable bills

July 29 – A national sportsmen’s coalition welcomed congressional hearings held Tuesday on public lands renewable energy bills as a step toward expanding sustainable power sources while providing for smart planning to safeguard fish, wildlife and habitat.

“The SFRED coalition has long advocated being smart from the start about renewable energy development so that we strike the right balance between the need for clean energy and the public lands vital for fish and wildlife,” said Kate Zimmerman, the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands policy director.

Coalition Submits Comments on Revised Great Lakes Action Plan

July 29 – Federal Great Lakes restoration efforts over the next five years need to be better aligned with goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, take into account climate change impacts, improve how progress is monitored, and not be undermined by bad federal policies, according to comments submitted Tuesday to the U.S. EPA by the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

“Federal Great Lakes restoration investments have produced tremendous results in communities across the region,” said Todd Ambs, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “With some simple improvements, a strong program can be even better.”

 

NWF in the News:

The Washington Post: Competing visions of cataclysm at an EPA hearing

Collin O’Mara, chief executive of the National Wildlife Foundation, said that with wetlands drying up and ticks threatening moose from Minnesota to Maine, “I’m here to speak for wildlife, because they can’t speak for themselves.’’

ABC 7: Helping the wildlife in your area

Naturalist David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Foundation joined us to share some tips on how you can create a natural garden that helps wildlife in your area.

OutdoorHub: Leaders of Conservation: NWF Sportsmen’s Outreach Manager John Gale

“Wildlife doesn’t vote and neither do conservationists,” Darling once said, referring to the fact that while many people cared about the plight of America’s wildlife, there was little in way of advocacy. Darling envisioned a grand network of like-minded individuals empowered to take up the cause, and that manifested in what we now know as the NWF.

The Washington Examiner: More climate change, more money problems

Collin O’Mara, chief executive of conservation and sportsmen group the National Wildlife Federation, said the proposed rule would help blunt the effects of climate change that are suppressing tourism and outdoor recreation revenues.

The Bowie Blade News: Bowie offers $20 for backyard habitat certification

Bowie will reimburse 50 Bowie residents the cost of certifying their homes as wildlife habitats to help the city become a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat.