NWF: Keystone XL Tar Sands Vote a Test of Climate Commitment

March 22-The U.S. Senate is set to vote today on what’s known as the Hoeven amendment, a non-binding amendment that expresses support for building the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline regardless of its impacts on wildlife, climate change, and clean water.

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“We’re coming off America’s hottest year on record as the cleanup from climate-fueled superstorm Sandy is still ongoing, and what’s the Senate hard at work on? Earning its low approval rating by capitulating to polluting special interests with a meaningless vote on the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

Check out more on Keystone XL

Westerners Praise Salazar Plan to Protect Water from Costly Oil Shale Speculation

March 22-Westerners praised the Salazar oil shale plan released by the Interior Department today for its smart approach to protecting water and local communities from costly oil shale speculation.

“We commend Secretary Salazar for developing a commonsense plan that makes public land available for research but requires results and environmental safeguards before any commercial leasing can proceed,’’ said Michael Saul, attorney with the National Wildlife Federation. “This new plan aims to ensure that we won’t risk precious water, air quality, fish, wildlife and the regional economies that depend on those resources on a gamble that might never pay off.”

The plan requires that companies conduct successful research operations of oil shale and prove oil shale’s economic viability before the Bureau of Land Management will consider commercial development. Companies will also be required to put proper safeguards in place to protect water supplies, land, wildlife, air quality and local economies.

For more on Carbon Pollution, visit  Stopping Carbon Pollution

NWF Hails Designation of Colo.’s Chimney Rock as National Monument a Significant Milestone

Photo: Flickr, jah~

President Barack Obama signed a proclamation Friday to establish the southwest Colorado site as the country’s newest national monument.

The site, with the twin pinnacles of Chimney Rock and Companion Rock, has strong cultural and spiritual significance for Native Americans. It was home to ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians.

NWF’s Danielle Moodie-Mills Named One of the Most Influential African Americans in America

September 21 – National Wildlife Federation is pleased to announce that Danielle Moodie-Mills, Director of Education Advocacy was named to The Root 100, a list of the top African American influencers ages 25-45. The Root is the leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective, and is owned by the Washington Post.

This year, Danielle Moodie-Mills joins the ranks of MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry, Former NFL player and LGBT advocate Wade Davis II, and fellow environmentalist Van Jones as one of The Root’s 100 most influential and powerful leaders in the African-American community.

New Report Warns of Oil, Gas and Coal Companies’ Influence in Elections

September 20 - Students around the nation were urged to take the election back from undue influence of oil, gas and coal companies who are spending unprecedented amounts of money to influence the 2012 elections. Energy Action Coalition’s Power Vote campaign, a national student oriented advocacy movement, was backed by a report issued today from the National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program. The report is aimed at college students, most of whom are voting for the first time. The report warns that youth have the biggest stake in the election, since they will inherit problems like global warming if they are not addressed immediately.

“Oil, gas, and coal companies want to make the odds seem too overwhelming for the rest of us to affect change in the fight to combat climate change,” said NWF president and CEO Larry Schweiger in unveiling the report.

NWF’s Eco-Schools Programs Gets Even Cooler With New Cool School Challenge Program

September 18 – Amid extreme weather events and an ever-increasing need to be vigilant about developing solutions to climate change, educators may be wondering how they can incorporate climate responsibility into their schools’ curricula.

A Popular Decision

The newly designated Chimney Rock National Monument. Photo by Flickr user Jah~.

When the country seems so divided on many important issues, preserving Chimney Rock brought people of diverse backgrounds together to demonstrate positive support for a place steeped in history. The site, with the twin pinnacles of Chimney Rock and Companion Rock, has strong cultural and spiritual significance for Native Americans, and was home to ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians. Garrit Voggesser, National Wildlife Federation’s National Director of Tribal Partnerships, explains the importance of the decision:

“This is extremely significant for tribes and recognizes their historical, cultural, and spiritual connections to Chimney Rock and the surrounding region.  This is a great use of the Antiquities Act.  It reflects that this is something that everyone wants—local communities, tribes, the state, Republicans, Democrats and the administration.  This is refreshing given the current gridlock in Washington.”

An Economic Boost to Southwestern Colorado

The momentum to upgrade the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area to a national monument was a locally driven process with strong backing from area residents, tribes, businesses and conservationists. This momentum translated into bipartisan support from Colorado’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Scott Tipton and Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall. In addition to its intrinsic value, Chimney Rock National Monument is expected to bring in $1.2 million in economic activity to the area, based on a study commissioned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Native American ruins on and around Chimney Rock date back 1,200 years ago, and the elevated federal designation is bound to bring in archaeology enthusiasts and folks who just want to hike to see the ruins and surrounding San Juan National Forest. One of the most fascinating aspects to this area is the Great House Pueblo, where every 18.6 years the moon rises exactly between the two rock spires, known as a Lunar Standstill.

Pledge to speak up for wildlife in this election season and vote for lawmakers who will address the challenges we face.

A Win for Conservation

Besides Chimney Rock’s rich cultural heritage, the area is home to many iconic wildlife species, such as black bear, mountain lions, elk, mule deer, bald eagles and peregrine falcons. It’s a truly great western landscape that now will be preserved for our children and grandchildren. The Antiquities Act is a special conservation tool that was established in 1906 and has been used by 16 presidents since then to designate national monuments. The president can use the Antiquities Act to protect special natural, historical and cultural areas as national monuments.  In the case of Chimney Rock, all the requirements were in place to make this a perfect use of the Antiquities Act.

Learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to protect our nation’s public lands for communities and wildlife at NWF.org/PublicLands and OurPublicLands.org.

The public lands of Fort Ord, a former military base, support a unique array of species that thrive in the area’s maritime chaparral ecosystem. Check out some wildlife found at the newly established Fort Ord National Monument:

Bobcat

A trip to Fort Ord means you’re likely to sight a bobcat.  These big cats prowl the area in search of prey–which could range from rabbits to birds to rodents. Fun fact: bobcats get their name from their stubby tail (to “bob” means to cut something short).

A bobcat on the prowl at Fort Ord National Monument (Flickr: Conservation Lands Foundation)

(Fish and Wildlife Service)

Smith’s Blue Butterfly

Fort Ord has been identified as an important habitat for the endangered Smith’s blue butterfly. In fact, land at Fort Ord was initially set aside as a nature reserve–the first in the United States created to preserve an insect!  The butterfly requires coastal dune habitat that supports seacliff or coastal buckwheat, which is used as a nectar source and host plant for larvae.  Unfortunately, freeway building and urbanization have destroyed much of this habitat, contributing to an endangered species listing for Smith’s blue butterfly in 1976. Recovery efforts have been underway–and hopefully the protection of Fort Ord will mean this endangered butterfly has a chance.

 Mountain Lion

Another big cat that roams on the expansive lands of Fort Ord National Monument are mountain lions. Mountain lions require large areas of open space because they travel over great areas or “home ranges” on the lookout for mates or prey.  Loss of habitat due to development has increased the need for wildlife corridors and open space like Fort Ord, allowing big cats like the mountain lion ample room to survive.

Mountain Lion (California Department of Fish and Game)

California Legless Lizard

Fort Ord supports one of the larger expanses of black legless lizard habitat in the species’ California range.  On first glance you might mistake a legless lizard for a snake–however, on second look you’ll realize some distinct features of the legless lizard. First, legless lizards have eyelids whereas snakes do not, and second, legless lizards are able to detach their tail when needed to trick predators.

(Flickr: California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation)

(Fish and Wildlife Service)

Golden Eagle

Golden eagles are adapted to live in a wide range of climates, but do rely on open areas like Fort Ord National Monument to hunt for prey. These eagles are found eating rabbits and rodents, but sometimes they will hunt larger game such as young deer. These birds are one of the largest raptors in the United States, second only to the California Condor and the bald eagle.