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[VIDEO] Our Clean Air Future / Roundtable Discussion in Pennsylvania

Jenny Kordick — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:50:58 +0000

National Wildlife Federation recently organized a roundtable in State College, Pennsylvania, focused on climate change and renewable energy solutions. A recent Zogby Analytics poll shows that as Americans see the impacts of climate-fueled extreme weather hitting close to home, their concern of climate change has grown and they expect elected officials to act now rather than wait. Voters also see clean energy as a bigger priority than other energy options.

The following individuals are featured in the roundtable:

Dr. Richard Ready, professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics at Penn State University
Pastor Marvin Friesen of the University Mennonite Church in State College
Ed Perry, National Wildlife Federation Outreach Consultant

Pennsylvania’s C-NET was on hand to broadcast the roundtable:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fall Elk Viewing on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

Kit Fischer — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:11:34 +0000

Elk in a field on the Charles Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Flickr photo by by Nathan Jongewaard.

September marks the time of year when lush river bottoms along the Missouri River in north-central Montana are transformed into their annual splendor. In the late afternoon hours on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR), golden light hits the fall colors of the cottonwoods, redosier dogwood, willow and chokecherry, illuminating a unique palette of color that lasts only a few precious weeks. In addition, hundreds of elk congregate along the fertile river-bottom in the Slippery Ann Elk Viewing Area—a cacophony of bugles and grunts fill the canyon walls into the twilight hours. With the nearest major city hundreds of miles away, it’s no problem getting front row seats.

What is the Elk Rut?

The elk mating period, widely referred to as the “rut” is a spectacular opportunity to view large herds of male elk bulls aggressively pursuing female elk cows in a ritual courtship. This annual courtship is photoperiodic, meaning that as the days become shorter in September elk take notice and the cows come into estrus. Large bull elk are on high alert and will often fight to secure a harem of more than 20 cows and spend significant time and energy fending off smaller, inferior bulls. Since elk shed their antlers every year, the older bulls grow a larger set than the previous year—sometimes growing as fast as an inch per day during the summer and ultimately weighing more than 40 pounds. Using these massive antlers, the dominant bull is able to fend off the lesser competition and gain the opportunity to reproduce.

This video I had the honor to film through a spotting scope while at the CMR.

Click here to view the embedded video.

How to Get to the CMR

As the best places often are—traveling to the CMR is difficult and requires a certain degree of planning. Although massive in size (1.1 million acres) this national wildlife refuge is extremely remote. Most adventurous travelers drive through Billings, Montana and head north for about 150 miles to where the Missouri River crosses the landscape. From there, one can follow signs to the refuge towards the east and roll down the windows to listen for bugling elk. For more information on how to visit this spectacular refuge please contact fischerk@nwf.org.

NWF’s Work on the CMR

NWF has been intimately involved with wildlife and resource issues on the CMR for more than 25 years. Currently NWF is working collaboratively with landowners, agencies and sportsmen to restore a wild, free-roaming population of bison to the CMR. Show your support for wild landscapes like the CMR by sharing this exclusive footage with your family and friends and by learning more at NWF.org/RestoringBison.

More than 735,000 Americans Support Action to Curb Carbon Pollution [VIDEO & PHOTOS]

Jenny Kordick — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:52:53 +0000

We asked you to speak up for polar bears, and you delivered! More than 735,000 Americans, including nearly 50,000 NWF members and supporters have sent letters to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of their proposed rule to limit carbon pollution from new power plant smokestacks.

This week, I teamed up with Ranger Rick and a polar bear to deliver the letters you sent to protect wildlife. The giant stack of boxes we delivered to the EPA in Washington, D.C. represent broad national support to curb carbon pollution (don’t worry–the boxes contained flashdrives containing copies of each comment rather than paper!).

The new proposed air pollution limits are essential for reigning in carbon pollution, which drives climate change– the number one threat to the future of wildlife. See what EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe has to say after the delivery:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, check out our photos from the event. More can be found on Wildlife Action’s Flickr page.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Wildlife needs your voice! The comment period for this rule remains open. Take action today to protect polar bears!

Little Things Can Make a BIG Impression

Lindsay Legendre — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:06:28 +0000

I didn’t grow up gardening a lot, my parents never really talked to me about global warming, and I don’t regularly hike or mountain climb. Regardless, I have developed an overwhelming love and connection to the great outdoors.

There are a lot of little moments throughout my life that made me this way and brought me to NWF, many of which took place outside my front door. This video is actually an indoor moment about a tiny little thing—that wasn’t hard to do or hard to grasp—that apparently made a big impression on me when I was about six. Are you dying to know what it was? You will probably be surprised! Watch this video and find out!!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I guess the point I’m trying to get across is it doesn’t take a lot to build a connection with the natural world. I work on NWF’s Be Out There movement to reconnect kids with nature. Every generation says it, but it’s a different time. Getting a good healthy dose of outdoor time isn’t as easy as it once was and regardless of age, it’s so good for you! I’ll share some outdoor moments—old and new—along this crazy ride, and hopefully you’ll share some with me too.

National Wildlife Federation’s Storytelling Video Diary Series shares the candid tales of nine NWF staffers from around the country; armed with their cameras in the Great Lakes, California, South Dakota, the Pacific Northwest, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC, these nine staffers will share with you their individual trials, epiphanies and stories as they unfold in their daily adventures.

Join Us for the Launch of NWF’s Storytelling Video Diary Series

Megan Blevins — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:01:20 +0000

When I was young, I was that kid who had a secret notebook and wrote down everything. Even at the age of 10, being a writer—being a storyteller—was all I ever wanted. I still believe in the power of sharing stories, so it’s a great honor to invite you to join the National Wildlife Federation as we kick-off our new Storytelling Video Diary Series.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

For the next six months we’ll publish weekly video blogs, such as this one about the Sky Dance of the American Woodcock.

There are 10 participants from around the Federation: Lindsay Hauswald, Carla Brown, Danielle Moodie-Mills, Beth Pratt, Bentley Johnson, Kendall Mackey, Tony Summers, Nic Callero, and Ryan Stockwell, and myself.

I know I speak for all the participants when I say “Welcome!” We look forward to sharing our stories from around the Federation with you.

National Wildlife Federation’s Storytelling Video Diary Series shares the candid tales of 10 NWF staffers from around the country; armed with their cameras in the Great Lakes, California, South Dakota, the Pacific Northwest, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC, these 10 staffers will share with you their individual trials, epiphanies and stories as they unfold in their daily adventures.

Make Way for Ducklings in Washington, DC [VIDEO]

Mary Burnette — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:08:02 +0000

A wonderful children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings, tells the story of a family of mallard ducks who make their home in Boston and face some challenges dealing with Boston traffic. This video, taken during the lunch hour on March 22, shows caring citizens helping a momma mallard and her chicks cross busy Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. It’s always heartwarming to know that people want to help wildlife in whatever way they can.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Later on the ducks’ path diverted to the White House where uniformed Secret Service agents scooped up the ducklings and helped them make their way through the fence. Presumably they are now meeting with President Obama on traffic safety laws and a “complete streets” plan.

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

Jenny Kordick — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:42:05 +0000

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!

Update: The first egg hatched March 27, 2012. (Get a glimpse of the “D12″). Update: March 29, 2012 - Here’s footage of the emergence of “D13.” Stay tuned!

Symbolically Adopt a Bald Eagle

Help National Wildlife Federation in its efforts to protect the bald eagle and its habitat by adopting an eagle. Your adoption will go toward supporting NWF’s efforts with wildlife conservation, education and more. Adoption packages include a certificate, poster, bald eagle plush and more.

Adopt a bald eagle >>

Feb. 17, 2012: First egg is delivered (watch video)
Feb. 20, 2012: Second egg is delivered (watch video)
Feb 24, 2012: Third egg is delivered (watch video)

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.

More Frequently Asked Questions About the Eagle Cam

See these frequently asked questions answered by the Raptor Resource Center.

How big is the nest?
5-6 feet across, about the same deep; it weighs about 1½ tons.

How old is the nest?
The eagles built it in 2007. A previous nest close by fell when a windstorm broke one of the branches.

Are these eagles banded?
No.

Which is the male and which is the female?
It is hard to tell the difference unless they are both on the nest. The female is larger than the male. This female has a ridge above her eyes that goes further back than on the male, and her eyes are surrounded by a greyish shadow; the male has a line around his eyes that makes them look “beadier.” Some think that the male’s head is “sleeker” than the female’s.

What is the history of this pair?
They have been together since the winter of 2007-2008. Her markings at that time indicated that she was about 4 years old. They successfully hatched and fledged 2 eaglets in 2008, then 3 in 2009, 3 more in 2010, and 3 more in 2011.

What is the area around the nest like?
The nest is in a cottonwood tree on private property near the Decorah Fish Hatchery (operated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources), on the banks of the babbling waters of Trout Run in extreme northeast Iowa.

Who does the panning, tilting, and zooming, and when does that happen?
Bob Anderson, Executive Director of Raptor Resource Project, switches to the pan-tilt-zoom cam when time and weather permit, and especially when there appears to be interesting activity in the nest.

What is the Raptor Resource Project?
Established in 1988, the non-profit Raptor Resource Project specializes in the preservation of falcons, eagles, ospreys, hawks, and owls. They establish and strengthen breeding populations of these raptors by creating, improving, and maintaining nests and nest sites. In addition to directly managing more than 23 falcon, eagle, and owl nest sites, the Raptor Resource Center provides training in nest site creation and management across the United States, reaching more than 85,000 people each year through lectures, education programs, and the web, and develop innovations in nest site management and viewing that bring people closer to the world around them. Check out the links to cams of many of the raptor nests that RRP manages.

Related Links

Read an interview with Robert Anderson, the Director of the Raptor Resource Project, who helped set up the famous UStream video footage of the Decorah Bald Eagle, the #1 most watched live video stream of all time.

Learn more about bald eagles from National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Library and find out how they are an Endangered Species Act success story.

Mid-Week Refresh: “Just Can’t Wait to be King” Edition

Marine Jaouen — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:29:23 +0000

Do not be fooled by those piercing blue eyes. This tiny cub will one day become a ferocious leader, destined to rule everything the light touches. But for now, this little lion’s roaring enduces more awws than eeks.

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.

Mid-Week Refresh: This Will Have You Running to the Zoo

Kendall Mackey — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:21:26 +0000

When I was younger I loved going to the zoo. I would pretend that I had a close friendship with all of the animals; just like Mowgli and Baloo. Although the kids today are much more acquainted with Dora and Boots, kids of today (and yesterday) still imagine a world where people and animals can communicate with one another.

Here is a little boy at the San Diego Zoo who definitely found a way to communicate with a curious river otter.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Find out how you can connect your kids to nature — right in your own backyard!

Mid-Week Refresh: It’s a Wonderful World

Anne Cissel — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:02:26 +0000

As we say goodbye to 2011, remind yourself of the “bright blessed days” and the “dark sacred nights” on this beautiful planet.

Narrated by David Attenborough (whose voice would mesmerize even while reading the phone book), this video shows clips from the amazing Planet Earth series. Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

NWF has just launched a new online portal called “Choose Your Cause.” Just click on the cause you care about most and enjoy inspiring stories and photos from folks on-the-ground who are working tirelessly to protect the wildlife and wild places we all love.