NWF Celebrates New Certified Sustainable Biofuel Flight Route Across The Atlantic

March 8 – The National Wildlife Federation and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) are pleased to announce a milestone in the sustainable biofuels industry and commercial air travel. A new KLM Royal Dutch Airlines route between Amsterdam and New York’s JFK is the first ever to use RSB certified fuel.

The fuel is supplied by SkyNRG, the first worldwide biofuel operator to achieve the RSB certification for their entire supply chain—“from feedstock to flight.” SkyNRG is the only fuel operator that can supply sustainable jet fuel into wing at any airport in the world. The inaugural flight and this new RSB biofuels route demonstrate that there is a market for next generation sustainable biofuels.

NWF: EPA Nominee a Strong Advocate for America’s Conservation Heritage

March 4 – President Barack Obama will reportedly nominate Gina McCarthy to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy is currently Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

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

“Gina McCarthy has decades of experience working across party lines with officials at the local, state and federal levels to protect our air, water, wildlife, public health and the jobs that depend on them. Whether as serving as Mitt Romney’s top environmental advisor or as the key broker of a historic agreement between unions, industry, states and environmental groups to boost fuel economy, Gina McCarthy has proven herself to be fair and pragmatic while determined to carry out her responsibilities under the law.

A New Frontier for Sustainable Style

Each of the sustainable leather bags comes with its own Passport, detailing the products sustainable credentials and traceability.

The GCC, Gucci and the NWF have worked to create an exemplary supply chain that ensures all Brazilian cow hides for the line are legally produced from the Amazon region of Brazil and do not cause deforestation. Each Gucci for the Green Carpet Challenge bag carries a passport containing the precise history of the chain of supply, from the birth of the cow to the beautiful final product. The bags are made using leather from cattle ranches that have achieved Rainforest Alliance certification, covering environmental and social justice criteria as well as the ethical treatment of cattle. The range becomes the first ever leather line to achieve this.

• For more, read our blog post: “Gucci Goes Green at Paris Fashion Week“

And now here are highlights from NWF in the news:

• Politico: Jewell nomination hearing today
• Arizona Daily Star: Town of Ajo is awarded wildlife-friendly title
• The Melissa Harris Perry Show (MSNBC): BP Put on Trial 3 Years Later 
• E! Online: Gucci Launches Sustainable Line of Luxury Handbags
• New York Live: Exotic Animals with David Mizejewski & The National Wildlife Federation
• Associated Press:  Advocates ask Congress to spare Great Lakes funds
• Times Picayune: New Orleans, state officials and National Wildlife Federation to discuss spending BP oil spill money on coastal issues
• Columbus Dispatch: National Wildlife Week, March 18-24, Celebrates Branching Out for Wildlife

For more visit www.nwf.org/news

NWF Interior Nominee a Strong Voice for America’s Great Outdoors

February 06-President Barack Obama will nominate Sally Jewell, chief executive officer of Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), to head the Interior Department, as first reported by the Washington Post.

Jim Lyon, vice president for conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“Sally Jewell is a business leader who knows that conserving America’s natural resources is fundamentally linked to a healthy and strong economy. Outdoor recreation contributes $646 billion to America’s economy and delivers $49 billion in tax revenue annually, but faces a critical challenge as Washington considers even more cuts to conservation programs on top of steep cuts already made.

For more on Sally Jewell’s nomination, check out the blog post: Will New Interior Secretary Put Conservation On Equal Ground with Energy? 

And now here are highlights from NWF in the news:

• UPI: NWF: Enbridge pipeline review lax
• Associated Press (MA):  Report: Climate change affects region’s wildlife
• Star Tribune: State species at risk as climate heats up (Editorial)
• MinnPost: Where the wild things aren’t: Moose, other species fade with climate change
• WFIR: Changing climate could have big impact on Virginia’s wildlife
• The Mercury: What is the purpose of National Wildlife Week?
• Dunwoody Crier: Create a wildlife habitat in your backyard

For more visit www.nwf.org/news

Report: America’s Wildlife Struggling to Keep Up with Changing Climate

January 30-The climate crisis is already changing the playing field for wildlife and urgent action is needed to preserve America’s conservation legacy, according to a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation. Wildlife in a Warming World: Confronting the Climate Crisis examines case studies from across the country illustrating how global warming is altering wildlife habitats. It recommends solutions to protect both wildlife and communities across America from the growing climate-fueled threats such as extreme weather, sea level rise and wildfires.

“Some of America’s most iconic species—from moose to sandhill cranes to sea turtles – are seeing their homes transformed by rapid climate change,” said Dr. Amanda Staudt, climate scientist at the National Wildlife Federation. “Climate disruption is the most serious threat facing America’s wildlife and requires action at the local, state and federal levels.”

For the full “Wildlife in a Warming World” report, check out nwf.org/ClimateCrisis

Concerned Landowners and Groups Seek Clarity that Vermont Can Protect Its Environment From Tar Sands Pipeline

January 29-Six Northeast Kingdom residents and landowners joined conservation groups in filing a request with the Act 250 District Coordinator in St. Johnsbury seeking affirmation that Exxon cannot use an existing 63 year-old pipeline to ship corrosive tar sands oil through Vermont without Act 250 state land use approval. The filing seeks a jurisdiction opinion that reversing the flow of the Portland-Montreal Pipe Line and using it to transport tar sands – a tarry, viscous, substance mined in Alberta – would be a “substantial change in use” requiring a state land use (Act 250) permit. Unrefined tar sands is different than conventional crude oil and poses major environmental and economic risks: it is extremely carbon intensive, must be transported at high pressures and temperatures which threaten pipeline integrity, and is more difficult and expensive to clean up when it does spill.

For more, check out the following blog post:  A Changing Climate and Keystone XL — Yes They’re Connected

Restoration Council Starts Critical Conversation with “Path Forward”

January 29-Today, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council released its proposed path forward for restoring the Gulf of Mexico following the 2010 BP oil disaster. Leading restoration organizations released the following statement in response:

“The draft Path Forward released today is a welcome and encouraging first step as the Council clearly commits to directing 30 percent of the RESTORE Act funds to ecosystem restoration under the comprehensive plan.

For more on Gulf Restoration, check out the following blog post: 1,000 Days Late and Billions of Dollars Short

Bring Daily Recess Back

January 29-Most adults remember daily recess as a time they were able to let off steam, exercise their bodies and refresh their minds. Today however, as many as nine million children (approximately thirty percent of elementary schools) get far less recess time according to a 2011 study by researchers at the University of Illinois. Worse still is the fact that schools with predominately non-white student populations are least likely to have sufficient recess periods.

The National Wildlife Federation is tackling this problem head on by launching their “Ranger Rick Restores Recess Campaign”. Ranger Rick of course is the beloved mascot of NWF’s award-winning children’s magazines Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr.

For more on Ranger Rick Restores Recess Campaign, go to nwf.org/recess

And now here are highlights from NWF in the news:

• USA Today: Report: Climate change a threat to wildlife
• Fly Rod & Reel: Report: America’s Wildlife Struggling to Keep Up with Changing Climate
• Vermont Public Radio: Tar Sands Pipeline Should Get Act 250 Review, Groups Say
• Public News Service: Climate Change: The Impact on Minnesota Wildlife
• Bloomberg: Obama’s Climate Vow Elevates EPA Role in Keystone XL Review
• Washington Times: Greens bank on Kerry to quash Keystone pipeline
• The Hill (blog):  Green group official joins colleague on Senate enviro committee staff
• equities.com: Regulators OK Michigan oil pipeline replacement
• The Lens: Eco vs. econo: 11th-hour dispute over plan to spend $20B in BP fines
• Insurance Journal: Coalition Pushing for New National Framework for Disasters
• HeraldNet: Photos of woodpeckers, owls exhibited at Edmonds museum

For more visit www.nwf.org/news

Draft National Climate Assessment Report Available for Public Review

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Lois Settlemeyer.

Ad: Hold BP Accountable During Settlement Negotiations

January 7 – Today, the National Wildlife Federation unveiled an ad campaign on the Washington Metro subway system aimed at influencing the Department of Justice’s settlement negotiations with BP. The ads are located in the Navy Archives Metro station, close to the Department of Justice’s Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters.

“Americans from all walks of life reeled in horror as BP’s negligence sent more than 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico,” said Aileo Weinmann, associate communications director for the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re sending a signal to staff at the Department of Justice to hold BP fully accountable for up to $50 billion in civil fines and penalties.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The Washington Times: Lawmakers seek leverage on Obama energy push
• News & Observer: Provide winter treats for the birds 
• Bayou Buzz: Oiled pelican photo in HOLD BP ACCOUNTABLE ad greets Justice employees at Washington Metro station

For more, visit www.nwf.org/news 

Transocean Pleads Guilty to Violating CWA and Will Pay $1.4 Billion

January 3 - The Department of Justice announced today that Transocean will plead guilty to violating the Clean Water Act and other statutes and pay $1 billion in civil penalties and $400 million in criminal penalties for its role in the 2010 Gulf oil disaster.

“This is an important step to get money flowing into the Gulf of Mexico,” said John Kostyack, vice president for wildlife conservation at the National Wildlife Federation. “Environmental restoration is critical to the well-being of the communities and ecosystems of the Gulf. In passing the bipartisan RESTORE Act, Congress recognized that a healthy ecosystem supports a healthy economy, both regionally and nationally. These are the first funds that will be directed under that historic statute, potentially beginning the largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history.”

Farm Bill Extension Falls Short

January 2 - After failing to pass a five year Farm Bill this past year, Congress has extended the 2008 Farm Bill for nine months as part of the fiscal crisis deal. In addition to preventing new farmers from enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program, the extension lacks funding for critical renewable energy programs and delays the implementation of sodsaver, a policy that would reduce federal subsidies for farmers who convert native grassland into cropland.

“It is disappointing that Congress was unable to pass a five year Farm Bill in time,” said Julie Sibbing, Director of Agriculture and Forestry Programs for the National Wildlife Federation. “Passing a nine month extension delays much needed reforms and cuts a key incentive program for farmers wanting to implement conservation measures on their land. America’s farmers, taxpayers and wildlife deserve more than this Band-Aid fix.”

• Related: What the Fiscal Cliff Deal Means for Wildlife

TIME OUT: A New Year’s Resolution for the Whole Family

December 31 - One of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions is to “spend more time with my family”. National Wildlife Federation says one of the best ways to keep that resolution all year long is to head outdoors where families can enjoy time together while improving the physical and mental health of their children.

In 2013 resolve to Be Out There and spend more time in the company of Mother Nature. By doing this, families can recapture an essential part of childhood that is being lost; the part that makes outdoors the favorite play space. It’s easier than you think to work into a family routine and National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There program will be there throughout the year with activities, ideas and inspirations to get more green time into kid’s lives.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Reuters: Nebraska environment report favors revised Keystone XL pipe plan
• PNS: Fiscal Cliff Deal Includes a Reprieve for Wind Tax Credits
• PNS: ‘Be Outside’ Pledges in MT Aim for Outdoor Fun Every Week
• The News Star: Birds of a feather
• Reuters:  EPA faces legal battles, might take easy confirmation road

For more, visit www.nwf.org/news

NWF Applauds Nomination of Sen. Kerry to be Secretary of State

December 21 – President Obama is expected today to nominate Senator John Kerry to be the next Secretary of State.

Larry Schweiger, CEO, and president of National Wildlife Federation, issued the following statement:

“National Wildlife Federation enthusiastically supports Senator’s Kerry’s nomination to be Secretary of State.  President Obama has promised to make climate change a top priority for his second term and Senator Kerry is a great addition to his cabinet to help get the job done. Senator Kerry is a leader on the environment and climate change and he has worked across the aisle to build bipartisan support for action in the Senate.  Senator Kerry understands the urgent need for U.S. leadership and global cooperation to tackle climate change and speed the transformation to a clean energy economy.  National Wildlife Federation looks forward to supporting him as he tackles these critical threats to wildlife and our children’s future.”

New Plan Balances Wildlife Conservation with Drilling in Western Arctic

December 19 – The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced a final management plan that will determine how oil and gas leasing can move forward while protecting wildlife in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, also known as the Western Arctic Reserve.

“Today’s release of the final Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement represents a balanced approach to managing the Western Arctic Reserve, taking into account the needs of local wildlife, local communities and for oil and gas production,” said Adam Kolton, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s National Advocacy Center. “We commend the Interior Department for providing vital protections for Teshekpuk Lake, Kasegaluk Lagoon and the Colville River Special Area.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• UPI: Alaska oil plans draw fire, praise
• Reuters: U.S. unveils plan to manage huge Alaskan oil reserve
• Seattle Times: With climate change, winter isn’t what it used to be
• The Coloradoan: Report: Climate change already altering the rhythms of nature
• Deseret News: Climate change already playing out in West, report says
• Dot Earth (NYTimes blog): Scientists See Big Impacts on U.S. Ecosystems from Global Warming

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Offshore Wind Developers, Environmental Groups Reach First-of-Kind Agreement to Protect Endangered Right Whales

December 12 - In a first of its kind collaboration, a coalition of leading environmental organizations and offshore wind developers has agreed to a series of voluntary measures that will protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, while helping to expedite responsible offshore wind development, in the Mid-Atlantic.

Building upon proposed federally mandated protections, the Conservation Law Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation, Environment America and the Natural Resources Defense Council, working together with Deepwater Wind, Energy Management, Inc. (owner of Cape Wind in Massachusetts) and NRG Bluewater Wind, have drafted a set of protective measures that these developers will voluntarily implement over the next four years in areas designated by the administration as Mid-Atlantic Wind Energy Areas, which stretch from New Jersey to Virginia (map available here: http://on.doi.gov/UWoNPF).

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The Star-Ledger: Offshore wind farm developers promise to keep whales’ interests in mind
• Bloomberg: Keystone Review Meaningless Without Climate Assessment
• The Morning Call: Hunters, fishermen could suffer without ‘fiscal cliff’ deal (Op-Ed)
• The Journal News: NWF’s ‘Ranger Rick’: Learn about lions in app for kids
• Public News Service: Ohio Hunters and Anglers Back Clean Wind Energy

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Gulf Restoration: A Win for Wildlife and the Economy

November 16 – The 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion sent more than 200 million gallons of oil and large quantities of hydrocarbon gas into an ecosystem already weakened by years of wetlands degradation. More than two years later, hundreds of miles of coastline from the Florida panhandle to the Mississippi River Delta still have visible oil and it may be decades before the spill’s full impacts are understood.

The U.S. Justice Department has reportedly reached a $4.5 billion criminal settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf oil disaster. Under the Clean Water Act, BP could owe as much as $21 billion for its role in the disaster. (BP also violated a host of additional federal laws; the company’s total federal liability will likely be far higher.)

BP Criminal Settlement a Good Down Payment, Not the End of the Line

November 15 – The U.S. Justice Department has reportedly reached a $4.5 billion criminal settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf oil disaster. The Deepwater Horizon rig explosion killed 11 workers and sent more than 200 million gallons of oil and other hydrocarbons into the Gulf of Mexico, with hundreds of dolphins and sea turtles and thousands of birds being found dead in the disaster zone.

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

“This is a good down payment on the massive restoration needed for the Gulf’s ecosystems and the people and communities that depend on them. There’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to penalizing the parties responsible for the Gulf oil disaster through the civil provisions of the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Act, but this criminal settlement marks important progress and devotes much-needed resources toward restoration.

Ranger Rick Celebrates 50 Years with Debut of New Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine and “Ranger Rick Jr. Appventures”

November 15 - National Wildlife Federation, publisher of Ranger Rick, one of the longest-running, most successful children’s magazines of all time, announces that the Ranger Rick brand will include print and digital fun for younger children, too! For the first time in Ranger Rick’s 50-year history, beginning readers can receive a Ranger Rick-branded magazine specially designed for their interests and reading skills. Ranger Rick Jr. is a new, colorful print magazine packed with intriguing facts and world-class animal photography. But that’s not all.“Ranger Rick Jr. Appventures – Lions!” is a cutting-edge storybook app for the iPad designed for kids to explore, create, and play their way through incredible animal adventures.

“If your child loves animals, he or she will love Ranger Rick Jr. magazine,” said Lori Collins, Editor of Ranger Rick Jr. “The magazine’s dazzling wildlife photos and simple, easy-to-follow text make it the perfect first magazine for any young animal lover.”

As Budget Talks Heat Up, Great Lakes Advocates Urge Public Officials to Hold the Line against Cuts to Restoration Programs

November 14 – A week after the re-election of President Barack Obama and amidst federal budget negotiations to stave off across-the-board reductions to government programs, Great Lakes advocates are urging the nation’s leaders to hold the line against cuts to successful programs that are restoring the Lakes, the source of drinking water for 30 million people.

“President Obama’s support for Great Lakes programs has been invaluable, and we challenge him to maintain his commitment to the Lakes,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

New Poll: Sandy Fuels Widespread Concern on Climate Change

November 14 – Superstorm Sandy is fueling concerns about climate change and how it’s inflating the costs and risks of extreme weather, according to a new post-election poll from Zogby Analytics. The poll shows key voting groups in the 2012 election – Hispanics, women, young voters – are among those most concerned with confronting climate change now and protecting America’s air, water, wildlife and other natural resources.

“These results show the dramatic impact 2012′s extreme weather has had across party lines, with half of Republicans, 73 percent of independents and 82 percent of Democrats saying they’re worried about the growing cost and risks of extreme weather disasters fueled by climate change,” said Pollster John Zogby.

American College Campuses Getting Even Greener

November 13 – Colleges and universities around the country are making a substantial investment in the sustainability of their campuses according to new information from the National Wildlife Federation. These innovative efforts, from renewable energy systems to campus organic farms, can now be seen in a single online resource from NWF.

National Wildlife Federation’s campus sustainability case study database, the only resource of its kind, is available online now at www.nwf.org/2012campuscasestudies thanks in part to the support of The Kendeda Fund. More than one hundred new case studies highlight efforts to dramatically reduce pollution, waste, and costs, including recycling, energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy installations and green jobs training programs.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The Washington Post: National Wildlife Federation’s Ranger Rick turns 50; raccoon character relaunches
• Entertainment Weekly: NWF’s Ranger Rick Celebrates 50th birthday and gets a new pal and a new app-EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
• Los Angeles Times: ’BP lied to me’ and the nation about the oil spill, lawmaker says
• Forbes: After Sandy, Poll Shows GOP Faces Growing Environmental Divide with Voters
• The Chronicle: Environmental group sues NY over ballast rules
• Propublica: Pipelines Explained: How Safe are America’s 2.5 Million Miles of Pipelines?

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Election Reaffirms Need For Bipartisan Cooperation On Conservation

November 7-Voters re-elected President Obama and rewarded conservation-minded Congressional candidates last night, particularly in the Senate where candidates like Montana’s Jon Tester and Florida’s Bill Nelson were re-elected and open seats were filled by Maine’s Angus King and New Mexico’s Martin Heinrich.

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

“We are excited that voters have sent so many conservation leaders to Washington, new faces and old. These elections have opened a window of opportunity to realign the politics of the environment. Looking ahead, the question is whether Democrats and Republicans will work together to address the conservation issues facing America. For that to happen, Republicans in Washington need to listen to the strong conservation views of younger voters, women, Hispanics and even sportsmen.

For more election analysis, check out these blog posts:

• After the Election: Climate Change Will Head to Top of the Agenda
• Election 2012 Results for Wildlife: New Opportunity for a Political Realignment
• A Brighter Future for Wildlife

And now here are highlights from NWF in the news:

• Mother Nature Network: Great Lakes’ bill of health: Legacy contaminants decline as new ones appear
• UPI: Pro-green group rallies post-election
• Wall Street Journal:  Environmental group sues NY over ballast rules
• The Hill: After Sandy, flood insurance reformers spring into action
• Associated Press: Go for charitable ‘adoption’ as holiday gift

For more visit www.nwf.org/news

Areas of Long Island, NY shown during an overflight following Hurricane Sandy. Photo: Flickr/DVIDSHUB

Sandy’s Mandate: When Political Reality Meets Climate Reality

November 1 - Whatever happens on November 6^th, the tragic scenes unfolding across the 19 states impacted by Superstorm Sandy have realigned American politics when it comes to climate change.The road to Election Day has gone from sarcastic remarks in Tampa, to two debate moderators apologizing for not asking the climate change question, to Republican standard bearer Gov. Chris Christie touring his devastated home state with President Obama, to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg penning an op-ed declaring that action on climate change is the central electoral issue.

How Arctic Sea Ice Loss Can Set the Stage for Superstorms

November 1 - As the east coast begins efforts to recover from Hurricane Sandy, the devastating effects of climate change are impossible to miss. Bigger, more powerful storms. More rainfall and higher storm surge. These are exactly the sorts of impacts that climate scientists have been worried about for years. Global warming is putting hurricanes on steroids and we’re beginning to see the effects.

To make matters worse, record-low sea ice in the Arctic likely contributed to the weather conditions that transformed Hurricane Sandy into a “superstorm”, when she collided with a winter storm system.

Hurricane Sandy’s Impact on Fish and Wildlife

October 30 - Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the East Coast this week and due to its unusual West-turning track, it came ashore midway in the eastern “Megalopolis” with its 65 million people.  Virginia and Maryland were drenched and pummeled and New York and New Jersey were flooded and smashed.  Human impact is the main concern for so many but, what  happens to fish and wildlife during such major storms? After Hurricane Irene devastated the east coast in August of 2011, we wrote a synopsis of the ways species are affected by major storms coming ashore and some things you can do to help them. Here is an updated “Sandy” version of that blog post.

Sandy: Send the Bill to ExxonMobil

October 30 - The heroic efforts of people coming together to assist each other in the face of Hurricane Sandy give me great hope for how we work together to overcome adversity.  If we look at this storm and all the increasing toll of “unusual” weather disasters as random, however, we will miss an opportuity to secure a better future for our families and forwildlife.  Those who have stood in harm’s way deserve better accountability for the actions that have made Sandy such a destructive storm, just as the farmers out West deserve better for the droughts they have suffered through, and others for the wildfires that have swept through parts of our nation.

East Coast Faces Monstrous Halloween Hurricane: How is Climate Change Fueling Sandy?

October 26 – As Hurricane Sandy barrels up the East Coast, forecasters are giving it nicknames that sound like the title of a disaster movie: Frankenstorm. The Perfect Storm II. All point to the grave danger of a monster storm fueled by the historic convergence of rare weather conditions and climate impacts.

Meteorologists did not pick the name Frankenstorm only because of the Halloween timing. The name also reflects the highly unusual nature of this storm.

Here are highlights from NWF in the news:

• The Washington Post: Flood risk will rise with climate change, experts say
• The Los Angeles Times: Hurricane Sandy as ‘super storm’: Is climate change a factor?
• Greenwire: Bloomberg nod proves climate an issue, say greens (subscription required)
•  Care2: How Do Wild Animals Survive Hurricanes?

Urge President Obama and Governor Romney to voice their plans to address climate change, now.