Weekly News Roundup- June 21, 2013

David Mizejewski on the Today Show

CaptureJune 20– Watch NWF’s celebrity Naturalist David Mizejewski as he brings on backyard animals for the special Great American Backyard Campout segment on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Don’t forget to camp in your backyard this Saturday with your kids, introducing them to a lifelong love for the outdoors!

Click here to watch the hilarious segment.

 

 

Failed Farm Bill Bad for Taxpayers, Resources

Corn stubble stores carbonJune 20– The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a farm bill that if enacted, would have been the worst in at least 25 years for fish and wildlife. The House bill failed any test of responsibility that taxpayer dollars wouldn’t be spent in ways that harm our land, water, wildlife and the public good. It’s critical to enact a five-year farm bill this year that protects conservation.

“The House farm bill failed commonsense conservation standards, and it failed to get enough votes to pass,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Reasonable measures to protect taxpayers and natural resources must be included a farm bill. The National Wildlife Federation will continue to fight for a farm bill that includes a link between conservation compliance and crop insurance, and a National Sodsaver program.”

Most significantly, the House bill would have created a new loophole in a longstanding requirement that farmers who receive taxpayer subsidies refrain from draining wetlands or farming erosion-prone soils without a conservation plan – because the bill failed to extend these protections to crop insurance premium subsidies, the largest subsidy farmers receive. This could lead to the draining of 1.5 to 3.3 million acres of wetlands and greatly increased soil erosion and nutrient pollution into our lakes, streams, rivers and coastal waters.

 

Montana’s Highest Court Clears Way For Return of Wild Bison

June 19– The Montana Supreme Court today cleared the way for the return of wild bison to their historic prairie habitat on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, reversing a lower court ruling that had blocked state plans to transfer bison to the Fort Belknap tribes for more than a year.

Bison

Today’s ruling from Montana’s highest court came in response to an appeal by two conservation groups, Defenders of Wildlife and the National Wildlife Federation, represented by the public-interest environmental law firm Earthjustice.

“Today’s decision paves the way for the restoration of Montana’s wild bison to continue,” said Earthjustice attorney Tim Preso.  “Wild bison are part of our history in Montana and now we can look forward to a future where they are a living, breathing part of our landscape as well.”

Learn more about NWF’s efforts to return wild bison to tribal lands.

 

 

Report: Climate Change Threatens Migratory Birds with Shifting Skies

Migratory Bird Report coverJune 18– limate change is altering and destroying important habitats that America’s migratory birds depend on and urgent action is needed to change that dangerous flight path, according to a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation. Shifting Skies: Migratory Birds in a Warming World details how a warming climate could lead to a decline in some bird populations and even some extinctions if action is not taken to curb carbon pollution and adopt climate-smart conservation strategies.

From waterfowl to songbirds to shorebirds, the climate crisis is the most serious threat this century facing America’s migratory birds,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We need urgent action at the local, state and federal levels to cut carbon pollution and confront the changes we’re already seeing.”

Download the full report here.

 

Leslie Science and Nature Center hosts their 5th annual Great American Backyard Campout

June 17– The Leslie Science and Nature Center (LSNC) will host their 5th community campout in Ann Arbor, MI on June 22nd. They will join thousands of families across the nation gathering in their backyards, neighborhoods, communities, and parks to enjoy a night of camping for the 9th Annual Great American Backyard Campout by the National Wildlife Federation.

FamilyFun Magazine

The LSNC community campout will include campfires, an interactive bat program with the organization for Bat Conservation, nature walks and so much more.

“Moving into our 5th Great American Backyard Campout, LSNC is excited to welcome members of the community to our site! This is a wonderful chance for children and adults to come together and spend quality time in their own environment,” explains Katelynn McDonald with the Leslie Science and Nature Center. “Time spent in the outdoors is a great way to unwind and disconnect from our busy society. We are looking forward to offering quality programs, food and camping at this fun-filled event.”

Campout this weekend on June 22! Click here to learn more about Great American Backyard Campout and how you can register!

 

And now here are highlights from NWF in the news:

For more visit www.nwf.org/news