Weekly News Roundup: President Obama is on a roll and more!

NWF   |   October 10, 2014

Shortly after broadening the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument, President Obama has used his legal authority once again to create a new national monument! The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument was made official today, thanks to the support of many NWF members and conservationists across the country. An incredible win for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts, this designation will preserve 346,177 acres of wild land!

SanGabMtns
San Gabriel Mountains. Photo credit: Rennett Stowe/Flickr Creative Commons
In other news, have you been watching The Walking Dead? Feeling a bit uneasy at the thought of zombies roaming around? Take a moment to ease your nerves and learn how wildlife would help save your life!

Our work in California doesn’t stop here! Help California mountain lions by sending a message for a wildlife crossing!

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

Newark Becomes an NWF Certified Community Wildlife Habitat

Gardening KidOctober 7 – Leading a nationwide trend in community concern for habitat loss, Newark has been officially designated an NWF Community Wildlife Habitat, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recently announced. The distinction for this city is the 78th community in the country and the 2nd community in Delaware to receive this honor. A Community Wildlife Habitat project creates multiple habitat areas in backyards, schoolyards, corporate properties, community gardens, parkland and other spaces.

“Congratulations to my friends in Newark for joining an elite group of conservation-minded cities across the nation that have been certified by the National Wildlife Federation for providing high quality habitat for wildlife,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.  “Thanks to the partnership among the City of Newark, the Delaware Nature Society, and many local partner organizations, Newark is emerging as a national leader in the Federation’s effort to restore wildlife habitat and provide outdoor learning opportunities across America.”

Clean Water Proposal to Benefit PA Waters, Wildlife

October 8 – Tuesday, the National Wildlife Federation hosted a teleconference with representatives from state agencies, businesses, and conservation groups who discussed the benefits of an EPA proposal to restore Clean Water Act protections to smaller streams and wetlands in Pennsylvania.

325 Sporting Groups Back EPA Carbon Pollution Limits

man with caught fishOctober 9 – Groups representing millions of hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are speaking out in support of climate action, releasing a letter in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan. The letter is signed by 325 national, state and local groups including Trout Unlimited, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the National Wildlife Federation.

“For America’s sportsmen, climate action is about protecting America’s outdoor heritage so their children and grandchildren will have the same chances to hunt and fish that have been passed down from generation to generation. They don’t want partisan gridlock and they don’t want excuses – they want action,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We need to act now to protect America’s outdoors by using climate-smart conservation strategies and by cutting climate-disrupting industrial carbon pollution, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed limits are an important step in the right direction.”

NWF’s Collin O’Mara, National Environmental Leaders Address Lessons of Sandy and Climate Change

October 10 – With the two year anniversary of Sandy just weeks away, National Wildlife Federation President & CEO Collin O’Mara addressed over 350 environmentalists, policy makers, scientists and business leaders at the Northeast Risk & Resilience Leadership Forum in Stamford, CT yesterday and cautioned that coastal communities along the east coast remain highly vulnerable to sea level rise and other climate impacts.

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Designation: A Homerun for Wildlife and Local Communities

National Park ServiceOctober 10 – For the 13th time in his Presidency, President Obama responded to decades of hard work by local communities, businesses, elected officials and conservation organizations by creating a new National Monument – this time right in Los Angeles’ backyard.  By signing today’s proclamation, the President has permanently protected 346,000 acres of wild land in the San Gabriel Mountains, which provides critical habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including mountain lions, California condors, yellow-legged frogs, and Nelson’s bighorn sheep.  The new monument status will also ensure that these spectacular public lands remain open in perpetuity for outdoor recreation activities like hiking, hunting, and fishing which are currently enjoyed by more than three million visitors annually.

 

NWF in the News:

The Hill: 325 sporting groups back Obama climate rule

“Circulated by the National Wildlife Federation, the letter details record temperatures, increased drought and the spread of parasites attributed to a changing climate as causes for concern among hunters and anglers.”

The Tampa Tribune: Manley Fuller and Collin O’Mara: Amendment One strengthens Florida conservation heritage

“The impacts of passing Amendment One will go far beyond dollars and cents. It’s a chance to reclaim Florida’s long-standing national leadership on water and land conservation and send the message that protecting our outdoor heritage transcends partisan politics.”

The Toledo Blade: Ex-councilman wants algae crisis to be wake-up call

“What happened to Toledo that first weekend of August is just the latest sign of work that is not done,” Frank Szollosi, regional outreach manager for the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office in Ann Arbor, told bar members during a luncheon speech at Georgio’s Cafe International. “Our hope is it’s a tipping point for action on water quality and climate change.”

The Chaffee County Times: 50-year-old gift keeps on giving

“Fifty years ago last month, the Wilderness Act became law and we took a huge step toward conserving some of what makes this country so special. All Americans are beneficiaries of the law that has set aside more than 100 million acres to maintain stunning landscapes, waterways, wildlife – and ensure our ability to reconnect to nature.”

The Day: Experts think lessons from Sandy remained unlearned

“I’m still not convinced we’ve learned the lessons and internalized them,” Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation, said Wednesday during the Northeast Risk & Resilience Leadership Forum at the Stamford Marriott. O’Mara was one of the keynote speakers at the event, sponsored by Connecticut Sea Grant as well as the Union of Concerned Scientists and insurance and consulting groups.”