Tribes Welcome Home Yellowstone Bison

March 21 – After more than a century’s absence, wild, genetically pure bison have returned to tribal lands on the Great Plains in a homecoming that reunites Native Americans with the iconic species that was a fundamental part of their culture and the prairie ecosystem.

Sixty-three bison from Yellowstone National Park were trucked 500 miles to Fort Peck in Montana’s far northeastern corner. Tribal members from Fort Peck and Fort Belknap hosted Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and representatives of the National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife at the animals’ arrival Wednesday.

Celebrate EXTRA-Ordinary Wildlife During National Wildlife Week, March 19-25, 2012

March 19 – What do the bull shark, wood frog, rhinoceros beetle and pronghorn have in common? They all perform some amazing feats which is why they were selected to be featured during National Wildlife Week, March 19-25. The theme for the week this year is EXTRA-Ordinary Wildlife and will celebrate wildlife and their incredible talents.

Since 1938, National Wildlife Week has been a time to learn about wildlife and nature. This year, children, youth and adults are taking time to explore wildlife through five different lenses (innovative defenses, record breakers, super senses, survive in unusual habitats, and special adaptation). Forty-five wildlife species including plants will be highlighted. The bull shark for example can survive in both fresh and salt water. The wood frog freezes during the winter, then thaws in the spring to mate. The rhinoceros beetle can support 850 times its body weight. The pronghorn is the fastest U.S. mammal, clocking over fifty miles per hour.

Global Climate Change Will Increase Anxiety, Fear and Depression

March 22 – The impact of global climate change on Americans’ mental health has been largely ignored, even though the incidence of mental and social disorders will rise steeply if climate change is not curtailed, adding significant costs to the already $317 billion in annual mental health care expenditures and lost productivity in the U.S., concludes a major new study. “The greatest public costs could come from ignoring the effects,” the report concludes.

Because extreme weather events and disasters will be more severe and more frequent, the U. S. will see a rise in illnesses like depressive and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, suicide and violence.

New Guide Helps Parents Overcome Obstacles to Getting Kids Outdoors

March 20 – Spring has sprung but how many kids have noticed? Many may be glued to video games or too busy tweeting to go outside and hear a real tweet. In addition to the lure of electronic gadgets, the great outdoors has lots of competition when it comes to kids. To help parents incorporate more “green time” into their children’s lives National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement has created “Outdoor Play for Every Day: A Parent’s Guide for Overcoming Common Obstacles to Kids and Outdoor Play”.

Most parents intuitively understand that spending time outdoors is good for their kids: it makes them grow lean and strong, enhances imaginations, and gives them time to let off steam and just be a kid.

President Obama’s Dangerous Wrong Turn on Energy

March 22 – Speaking on energy policy yesterday, President Obama said, “You have my word that we will keep drilling everywhere we can, and we will do it while protecting the health and safety of the American people.” Today he heads to Cushing, OK, site of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline’s southern leg, where he will announce efforts to rush its review, and those of future pipelines. A thorough review process is critical for protecting clean water from flawed oil projects.

The new emphasis on rushing oil companies’ projects comes on the heels of devastating oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, Yellowstone River, and the Kalamazoo River. A 2010 NWF report found thousands of spills on and offshore have occurred over the last decade, with Oklahoma ranking seventh for most pipeline spills.

New Report: Strong Farm Bill Key to Great Lakes Restoration

March 21 – In a new report issued today, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is urging federal public officials to strengthen and support successful farm conservation programs that are vital to restoring the health of the Great Lakes. Read the full report here (PDF).

“Farm conservation programs are essential for Great Lakes restoration,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “Farm conservation programs are producing results, but there is more work to do. Cutting support for these successful programs now will cause problems to get worse and more costly to solve.”

NWF Supports New Federal Wind-Wildlife Guidelines

March 23 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) released the final version of its Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines to assist federal agencies, wind energy developers, and the public in avoiding and minimizing impact on wildlife and habitat when locating, designing and operating wind energy projects. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) applauds the Service, who developed the voluntary guidelines from the consensus recommendations of a Federal Advisory Committee composed of wildlife organizations, state and federal wildlife managers, wildlife scientists, and wind energy developers.

“Climate change poses an enormous threat to both the human environment and the earth’s biologic diversity, and for that reason, National Wildlife Federation is pursuing a rapid and responsible transition to clean energy,” says Justin Allegro, manager of the Renewable Energy and Wildlife Program at NWF. “However, poorly planned and designed wind energy activities can have significant adverse impacts to wildlife and habitats. This crucial framework will help lead to wind energy projects that wildlife advocates can feel good about in the short term, and avoid the types of bad projects that impede the growth of needed new energy solutions in the long term.”

Gulf Ads Thank Gulf Senators for Passing Gulf Restoration Amendment

March 23 – Five Gulf state newspapers will run full-page color ads starting today thanking the nine Gulf senators who recently voted in favor of legislation to dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from the parties responsible for the Gulf oil spill to restoring the Gulf ecosystem and economy.

The ads features a “thank you” from 62 Gulf businesses, business groups and restoration advocacy groups to the nine Gulf senators who “led an overwhelmingly bipartisan group of 76 senators to pass the RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act [to] help repair and strengthen the communities, businesses and environment…still suffering nearly two years after the unprecedented Gulf oil disaster.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Television: Naturalist David Mizejewski was on the Today show live with 2 gray wolves as well as 17 TV outlets, via live satellite talking about how gray wolves are being poisoned in Alberta in a misguided plan to protect woodland caribou from energy development. 12.2 million views saw him on Today alone.David and Dr. Doug Inkley have or soon will be heard on 32 radio stations around the country commenting on this unfolding tragedy. They were interviewed by the following stations:
  • WISH-TV, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
  • KUSA/KDVR-TV, DENVER, CO
  • REUTERS TV, NATIONAL
  • WJBK-TV, DETROIT, MI
  • WHAM-TV, ROCHESTER, NY
  • WTVC-TV, CHATTANOOGA, TN
  • KOB-TV, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
  • WYAM-TV, REGIONAL – ALABAMA
  • WXIA-TV, ATLANTA, GA
  • WRAL-TV, RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC
  • WSET-TV, ROANOKE, VA
  • LIFESCRIPT TV, NATIONAL
  • KGUN-TV, TUCSON, AZ
  • WXYZ-TV, DETROIT, MI
  • FOXNEWS.COM, NATIONAL
  • KCTU-TV, WICHTIA, KS
  • XETV, SAN DIEGO, CA
• Radio: Board member, Dr. Lise Van Susteren was our spokesperson in a day long radio tour about NWF’s new report on the psychological toll climate change will have on Americans. These interviews reached millions with this warning and what they can do to fight and prepare for climate change. Dr. Van Susteren was interviewed by the following outlets:
  • POLNET RADIO NETWORK, NATIONAL
  • WTBQ-AM, NEW YORK
  • WHCR-FM, NEW YORK
  • METRO NETWORKS, SEATTLE (SYNDICATED)
  • WICH-AM, HARTFORD
  • NORTHERN NEWS NETWORK, MONTANA (STATEWIDE)
  • WAMV-AM, ROANOKE
  • WALR-FM, ATLANTA
  • USA RADIO, NATIONAL
  • KMA-AM, OMAHA
  • WFIN-AM, TOLEDO
  • WJSS-AM, BALTIMORE
  • WXBR-AM, BOSTON
  • WOCA-AM, ORLANDO
  • WSRB-FM, CHICAGO
  • WDIS-AM, BOSTON
  • KPQ-AM, SEATTLE
  • WCHE-AM, PHILADELPHIA
• 9.9 million viewers saw the story of the reintroduction of pure blood bison on to tribal lands in a story from NBC Nightly News. President Larry Schweiger commented for the report on this great NWF success. News of the bison’s return also ran a total 50 times on other regional TV stations.
• Director of the National Advocacy Center, Adam Kolton was seen on 26 NBC stations nationwide as well as the #2 national newscast in Canada commenting on President Obama’s energy speech.
• Marc Smith was on the radio tour in Minnesota and Wisconsin talking about the latest capture of invasive Asian Carp. He was heard in 5 markets including the #1 wacky rock’in morning show in the Twin Cities.
• The Denver Post (op-ed): Guest Commentary: Appreciating wild creatures during National Wildlife Week
• Public News Service (OH): Pain at the Pump? New Fuel Standards Could Ease the Burden
• Reuters: At Oklahoma oil hub, Obama pledges to speed part of pipeline
• The Washington Post: Stink bugs migrating to the Deep South

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Atlantic lion fish populations emerged after a handful of specimens were released from aquariums in the 1990s. (Photo: Tinou Bao/Flickr)

Asian carp are stealing valuable resources from native Great Lakes fish while Burmese pythons are destroying small mammal populations throughout the Florida Everglades. Similarly, lion fish are invading Atlantic reefs and  disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

First spotted in the early 1990s, the now established lion fish populations are commonly thought to originate from only six specimens which escaped into the Atlantic after Hurricane Andrew broke aquariums in Florida in 1992. Now, the fish are widespread along the Eastern coast of the United States, from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, down to the Bahamas, and even all the way north in Massachusetts.

Sneaking to the Top of the Food Chain

Once aquarium fish, lion fish have adapted very well to their new environments. They are quickly replacing top predators like sharks by eating large quantities of prey, such as small fish, invertebrates, and mollusks. In turn, the lion fish has very few natural predators, thanks to its venomous spines, leaving it free to wreak ecological havoc on the coral reefs. In fact, lion fish can devour up to three-quarters of a reef’s fish population in just five weeks.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Eradication Efforts Abroad

Lion fish are continuing to spread, but there are organized eradication efforts underway. Diving competitions encourage divers to spear as many lion fish as possible and chefs have been introducing lion fish to their menus.

As with any invasive species, lion fish eradication should be aggressive and persistent. With major problems plaguing the world’s waters, like ocean acidification, overfishing, and increased trash and pollution, we need to take drastic steps towards restoring our once beautiful oceans.

Support NWF’s efforts to fight invasive species and to restore and protect our fragile reef ecosystems.

Eagle Cam is Back! Watch Iowa Bald Eagle Eggs Hatching Live

Decorah Bald Eagles (UStream screen shot)

February 18 – Did you join us last year as we watched two Iowa bald eagles care for newly hatched eagle chicks? Thanks to the Raptor Resource Center, the eagle cam we all came to love is back!  Join the National Wildlife Federation family again this year as we watch the eagles hatch and grow!

Who operates and maintains this eagle cam?

The Raptor Resource Project maintains the cams, of which there are two. The feed is streamed online 24/7. Both are positioned on one of the nest’s supporting limbs about 4-5 feet above the nest. The main cam is automated and is trained on the nest. The other cam has pan-tilt-zoom capabilities. At dark the main cam switches to infrared (invisible to the eagles) night-time view.

NWF Pledges to Fight Heartland Institute Intimidation Campaign

February 21 – The National Wildlife Federation today received a cease and desist letter from the Heartland Institute demanding that all references to Heartland’s so-called “Denialgate” leaked internal documents be scrubbed from the National Wildlife Federation website. However, the letter makes no specific legal accusations and the Heartland Institute continues to refuse to say whether the documents are legitimate, whether its reported plan to infiltrate America’s schools is true, or who is funding it.

The National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Promise blog discussed the documents posted to other sites in two posts, Koch-Funded Plan in Development to Teach K-12 Kids Global Warming isn’t Real and From the Heartland: An Inside Look at the Extreme Right’s War on K-12 Climate and Environmental Education. The Associated Press reported that David Wojick, the contractor cited in the documents as the author of a proposed climate disinformation campaign targeted at K-12 students, confirmed “the document was accurate about his project to put curriculum materials in schools that promote climate skepticism.”

EPA Permit Too Weak to Protect Great Lakes, U.S. Waters from Ballast Water Invaders

Zebra mussels

The organizations call on EPA to strengthen a proposed permit to regulate ballast water discharges from commercial vessels. The comment period on the permit ends today.

National Hunting, Angling Groups Applaud Move to Finalize Clean Water Act Guidance

February 23 – This week, the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers submitted revised Clean Water Act guidance to the Office of Management and Budget. Sportsmen applaud this critical step in restoring important protections for America’s waters.

“These rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands are essential for hunting and angling, providing fish and wildlife habitat and an economic boost to local economies,” said Steve Moyer, vice president of government relations for Trout Unlimited. “Every year, millions of anglers spend $45 billion to fish in rivers, lakes and streams across the country. Together, hunting, angling, and wildlife watching contribute an estimated $122 billion to the economy annually.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• HTRnews.com: Groups say EPA ballast proposal too lenient
• Sheboygan Press: Environmentalists threaten suit over ballast rule
• Bridge MI: A plan to curb carp, before it’s too late
• Nola.com: Gulf of Mexico oil spill partial settlement would give Louisiana $13.5 million

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Click here to view the embedded video.

Be a voice for wildlife. Donate today to help support National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to protect wildlife and wild places across America.

Protesters carry an inflatable Keystone Xl pipeline around the White House during the Nov. 6th rally. (Photo: Marine Jaouen)

“More than 500,000 Americans have submitted comments opposing this tar sands pipeline,” said Jeremy Symons, Senior Vice President of the National Wildlife Federation. “Never before has there been this level of public opposition to a single energy project.” In a telephone conference call with reporters, the experts laid out the motivations of the pipeline backers, and explained the dangers posed by their efforts.

Faulty Jobs Claim

While Transcanada has been marketing its 20,000 new jobs claim since the beginning, the Cornell Global Labor Institute has debunked their claims. “A good portion of that money was already spent in Canada or has been spent in sourcing the materials or some of the land clearance issues,” said Sean Sweeney, director of the Cornell University Global Labor Institute.” Transcanada has informed the State Department that the project would create 2,500 to 4,600 direct construction jobs of a temporary nature.”

Labor unions agree that the nature of the project would be a step backwards for future clean energy jobs. Roger Toussaint, International Vice President of the Transport Workers Union, said, “the dangers of the pipeline are compelling and no one should believe the claims of, either the Republican leadership or the energy companies, with respect to the project being shovel ready or with respect to the number of jobs it’s going to produce.” Joe Uehlein, Board President of the Labor Network for Sustainability, agrees. “We can’t create jobs that are going to destroy our future. Every dollar spent on projects like KXL is a dollar not spent on the future.”

In addition, the possibility of an oil spill wouldbe devastating for an already fragile  economy. “U.S. government data shows that spill damage in 2010 alone approached a billion dollars,” said Sweeney, “and the cleanup operations, while they do create jobs, they are actually siphoning capital and resources away from other job creation projects and initiatives.”

Looking Out For a Clean Energy Future

Investment in pipelines like KXL would send the wrong message towards the pursuit of clean energy jobs. “Tar sands oil is corrosive and more dangerous to pipelines than regular oil, and tar sands pipelines are leaking across the nation at an unprecedented rate,” said Symons. In addition to tar sands being environmentally dangerous, they have the potential to deter future green sponsors “There’s a serious chilling effect on investors, both private and public, around the issue of green economic investments,” said Sweeney.

There’s no place for a Keystone XL rider in this tax bill. Like the folks who took this poor sloth off the highway, it’s time for us to remove this poison pill from this bill.

Click here to view the embedded video.

With their perpetual grins and curious gazes, these little guys can do no wrong.  Enjoy this week’s Mid-Week Refresh cute animal pick-me-up, featuring the upcoming documentary, “Too Cute! Baby Sloths” premiering on Animal Planet. And for more adorable babies, visit Slothville, home of all things sloth-related.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out Animal Planet’s premiere of “Too Cute! Baby Sloths” on December 17, 2011 at 8 pm EST.

Give more creative presents to your loved ones - they will appreciate it. (photo credit: chatirygirl/Flickr)

1. Use what you have. If your closet is like mine, you have boxes of old mementos and treasures that can be transformed into something beautiful. A personalized gift says so much more than “I picked this up from the store”. Convert old T-shirts into a soft rug, make coasters out of notes and photos, or create a Dali melting record clock. Don’t forget sentimental gifts that require only a little creativity – retouch Grandpa’s childhood photographs, organize Mom’s recipes, or edit that dusty “Disneyland 1998 family vacation” video.
2. Gift experiences. Work and school can prevent families from spending much needed quality time together, so the holidays offer the perfect time to catch up. Families can find escapes and adventures on deal websites like Livingsocial and Groupon which can save them money to spend on more important things. Time is the most valuable gift you can offer, and the added savings are a welcomed bonus.
3. Find alternative wrapping paper. Your works of art have been created, and now it’s time to wrap the gifts. Finish those half-rolls of wrapping paper hiding in the back of your closet and resist the urge to buy more. Use recyclable bags and spruce them up with some festive cheer (you can also use Silk Furoshiki Gift Wrap, but remember, the point is to use what you have – the less you bring into your home, the less you ultimately have to recycle or throw away!). BONUS: Add some colorful flair to your packages by replacing your unrecyclable packing peanuts with shredded strands of discarded wrapping paper.
4. 

   Photo Credit: sdminor81/Flickr

   Know where your Christmas tree comes from. Real Christmas trees have a distinctive smell, but they can be shipped from far away farms and your tree leaves a high carbon footprint before it arrives at your door. On the other hand, fake Christmas trees can be reused, but they are not recyclable and require high amounts of petroleum for their production. Thankfully, there are alternatives – you could find a nursery and chop down a tree or you can build your own Christmas tree.
5. Donate to your favorite nonprofit. This is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. The National Wildlife Federation’s new Choose Your Cause campaign allows our donors to choose the cause where they want their donation to be used. In addition, NWF is a member of Earth Share, a nationwide federation of the nation’s most respected environmental and conservation charities. We’ll put your donation straight to work where it’s needed most in our conservation programs across the country.

‘Tis the Season from the National Wildlife Federation:

• 5 Gifts Birds Are “Tweeting” About This Holiday Season
• This Year, Shift Your Gift Into a Gift For Wildlife
• Reindeer: 12 Fascinating Facts About These Amazing Creatures
• Simple Holiday Crafts to Make With Your Kids
• Habitat Certification and Other Gifts for Gardeners
• The Northern Cardinal: Find Out About the Bird That Most Symbolizes the Season

Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Still on Road to Recovery Despite Latest Twist in Delisting Saga

Nov 22, 2011 – Today, a federal appeals court ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to reinstate Endangered Species Act protections for grizzlies in the Yellowstone region. The Court found that the USFWS developed solid criteria for managing bears once they were delisted, but that the agency had failed to justify delisting given concerns about a decline in an important food source for the animals. Warmer weather due to climate change allowed beetles to flourish and devastate whitebark pines that produce nuts the grizzlies rely on for food. The bears will be relisted as a threatened species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the bears in 2007 once their populations began to grow. Because the Yellowstone grizzly numbers exceeded all recovery targets, the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming intervened on behalf of the USFWS in the litigation challenging the delisting decision.

A Chance for Media Redemption on Hackergate?

Nov 22, 2011 – Today another hacked batch of 5,000 emails purporting to be from the Climate Research Center at the University of East Anglia was leaked by unknown parties.  It’s old, discredited news. Let’s hope the media exercises due diligence and practices objective journalism instead of blindly reinforcing the climate skeptics’ distorted claims.

When a similar batch of emails was unloaded without permission in 2009, many in the media hastily reported some of the information as solid facts and did not bother to understand the information in its broader context.  As a result, the science was distorted, twisted and misrepresented, and a stream of sloppy reporting ensued and was repeated over and over all too often.  Some in the media joined the climate naysayers who tried to argue that the climate scientists had doctored scientific data to exaggerate the world’s climate crisis.  They tried to unravel the facts and upend the science.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Associated Press: Court says Yellowstone grizzlies still threatened
• Minnesota Public Radio: Push to keep invasives out driving force behind ballast water measures 
• Durango Herald: Report: Nature conservation is a ‘huge economic driver’

Bad Ballast Water Bill Threatens America’s Waters and Wildlife

Nov. 15, 2011 – The House of Representatives voted to undermine America’s waters and wildlife by including weak and ineffective ballast water discharge standards in the Coast Guard Reauthorization bill. This legislation rolls out the welcome mat for destructive, invasive species to infiltrate our waters.

“In horror movies, strange creatures invade our waters and threaten people and wildlife. But, the real horror is that this scenario happens every day in the U.S., and this bad ballast water bill makes it easier for invasive species to take over our water bodies,” said Josh Saks, senior legislative representative for water resources campaigns for the National Wildlife Federation.

New Report Explores Hazards of Natural Gas Production on Air, Water and Wildlife Habitats

Nov. 16, 2011 – Natural gas is a part of America’s energy future, but it does not have to become part of this country’s energy failures when it comes to protecting air, water and wildlife habitat. A new National Wildlife Federation report, No More Drilling in the Dark: Exposing the Hazards of Natural Gas Production and Protecting America’s Drinking Water and Wildlife Habitats, delves into the challenges and potential solutions surrounding the unconventional drilling practice known as fracking.

 “Transparency, sensible oversight and reliable safeguards for air, water and wildlife are just commonsense when it comes to drilling for natural gas,” said Todd Keller, senior manager for public lands campaigns for the National Wildlife Federation. “What should be best practices for the industry are also what is best for local communities and wildlife habitat.”

SAFE Act Critical to Confronting Climate Impacts

Nov. 16, 2011 – The Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act, requiring federal and state governments to plan for the impacts of climate change by protecting our natural resources, was introduced in the U.S. Senate today. Co-sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the SAFE Act would take critical steps towards protecting communities and wildlife from climate impacts.

“Climate change is the defining conservation issue of our generation, already forcing our communities and wildlife to confront more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and wildfires,” said Bruce Stein, director of climate change adaptation for the National Wildlife Federation. “The SAFE Act is commonsense legislation that will help us prepare for climate impacts while protecting and enhancing our natural resources.”

(Photo by Brett Weinstein)

Nov. 17, 2011- The Obama administration has unveiled new fuel economy and emissions rules for light duty vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines cover model years 2017-2025 and begin the formal rule-making process of the agreement in principle announced in July. The standard will be open for additional public comment for 60 days.

“Americans can breathe easier. The win-win car and light truck standards proposed by the Administration today mean cleaner air and better protection for wildlife and America’s natural resource heritage, while taking major steps forward for America’s energy and economic security,” said Joe Mendelson, director of global warming policy for the National Wildlife Federation.

National Wildlife Federation and National Aquarium Formally Join Forces

Nov. 17, 2011 – The National Aquarium and the National Wildlife Federation have joined forces to protect wildlife and water resources for future generations. Approved by unanimous vote at the most recent Board of Directors meeting, the National Aquarium has been selected as the National Wildlife Federation’s Maryland affiliate. This partnership will link conservation efforts from Appalachia, to the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to align the efforts of this nation’s aquarium with one of its most effective conservation organizations,” said John Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium.

And here are a few highlights from NWF in the News:

• Ammoland.com: Sportsmen Criticize Senate Measure Weakening Clean Water Act
• The Sacramento Bee: Jobs for the Future Brings NASA Resources to Community College Green Curricula 
• UPI: NWF pro gas but wants safeguards
• Publicnewsservice.org: Report Questions Environmental Price PA Pays for Fracking

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Gaston’s photography tips

1. 

   (Photo from morguefile)

   Change your perspective – We spend our whole life seeing things at eye level, so instead of just lifting the camera up to your face, show us the world from a different perspective. Kneel down, climb up, shoot at an angle, or put your camera flat on the ground. Show us a new perspective, something that we haven’t seen before and that will grab our attention.
2. Play with exposure – Even if your camera tells you what the perfect exposure time is, you don’t have to follow it. Try overexposing, try underexposing, and see what happens. Play with the light, bring some abstract to reality. I often underexpose in bright sunlight to emphasize interesting highlights.
3. Avoid overdoing gimmicks – Playing with HDR, Hipstamatic or all types of digital treatment filters can be fun, and it has its place, but I find many photographers nowadays rely too heavily on these. They use these trendy treatments as a crutch, to make mediocre pictures mildly interesting. First and foremost a successful photo should be about content and composition, not about the digital process that has been applied to it.
4. Composition is paramount – A well composed picture will capture attention for longer, giving the viewer time to think about what your photo is trying to say and what story it conveys. Pay attention to lines, to the disposition of objects, to the edges of the frame, to the background, and to the interplay of light and dark areas. There are hundreds of way to tell a story through a picture, but it will only work if the viewer is first captured by the image, and takes the time to interpret it.

Be sure to see Lacombe’s “Captive” series and then stop by NWF’s Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips Center for more photo tips. Don’t forget to check out our 2011 National Wildlife Photo Contest Winners Gallery for more amazing nature photography.