NWF: Reducing Keystone XL to a Sound Bite Distorts Facts

October 3 - As surrogates for the presidential campaign candidates jockey for position ahead of tonight’s first debate, the facts about the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline are being distorted.  A fact check issued by the National Wildlife Federation notes the pipeline’s job estimates have been widely discredited, and that its purported energy security benefits are also hugely exaggerated. Contrary to popular belief, the pipeline would only generate a few thousand jobs, many temporary, and the fuel it carries would actually increase gas prices as it routes supply away from the U.S. in favor of exports. One certainty is that Keystone XL would greatly increase carbon emissions contributing to climate change.

Hunters, anglers speak out for conservation, ensuring continued access to public lands

October 1 – Conservation is a nonpartisan issue and candidates can’t take the votes of sportsmen and women for granted this election if they don’t address safeguarding fish and wildlife habitat and ensuring access to public lands, hunters and anglers said during a news teleconference Monday.

The importance of conservation of public lands to hunters and anglers, viewed as conservative-leaning, is underscored by the results of a National Wildlife Federation poll. The results show that sportsmen place conserving habitat on a par with gun rights. An overwhelming majority believe it’s a priority to manage public lands for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation.

“This should truly be a bipartisan issue, one in which reasonable people can find reasonable ways to maintain public lands for many purposes, including regulated hunting and fishing by the average American,” said John Smeltzer, chairman of the Colorado Wildlife Federation board and a retired assistant director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

And here is a special extended list of NWF in the News, featuring coverage of our poll:

U.S. Joins International Effort to Promote Environmental Journalism to Today’s Youth

September 28 - As the United States host of the international Young Reporters for the Environment program, the National Wildlife Federation has started recruiting public, private and charter middle and high school students in the U.S. to participate in an annual competition that encourages and promotes youth environmental journalism.

The new Young Reporters for the Environment USA (YRE-USA) program is part of a rapidly-growing international network of international youth engaged in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).  It is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education and currently operates in more than 25 countries.  The United States is one of the more recent countries to join this effort.

Sportsmen Poll: Public Lands Protection Trumps Energy Production

September 25 – A new national poll released today shows sportsmen prioritize protecting public lands above energy production. The poll conducted by Chesapeake Beach Consulting shows threats to America’s conservation heritage are priority issues for sportsmen, on par with gun rights.

“Hunters and anglers tend to be conservative politically, but many are split-ticket and independent voters. What’s clear from this poll is that sportsmen deeply value conservation and believe we have a moral responsibility to confront global warming to protect our children’s future,” said Bob Carpenter, president of Chesapeake Beach Consulting.

“Through shifting political winds, sportsmen have not flinched in their conservation values,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Candidates at all levels should answer this simple question: What’s your plan for protecting our outdoor heritage for our children’s future? These are ethics that sustain America’s wildlife, outdoor economy and healthy families.”

National Wildlife Federation Announce 2012 Hike and Seek Program Changing the Nature of Childhood

September 24 - National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest conservation organization, announces the third annual Hike & Seek™ events. Hike & Seek is a series of fundraising outings that inspire a child’s sense of adventure by combining a nature hike and scavenger hunt. It brings children and adults together for a few hours in the great outdoors for some fresh fall air and fun and provides an opportunity to rediscover nature.

It doesn’t require any advance preparation; interested moms, dads, kids or whole families can sign up at www.hikeandseek.org and then show up ready to spend some family time in nature.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Washington Examiner: Maybe Michelle could add archery, fishing to Let’s Move?
• Field&Stream: New poll shows most sportsmen are environmentally minded
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Poll: Sportsmen view conservation as important as gun rights
• Public News Service: Support for Conservation from NC Hunters and Anglers
• Minneapolis Star Tribune: Poll: Hunter, angler concerns include global warming
• E&E News: Conservation tops drilling and mining for sportsmen — poll (subscription required)

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News