Weekly News Roundup: Our Wildlife Legacy and more

With Mother’s Day around the corner, NWF has released a new report: Wildlife Legacy: Climate Change and the Next Generation of Wildlife. Emphasizing the stress climate change is causing wildlife parents, the report details the necessity of taking action. In order to protect future generations of baby wildlife, the reduction of carbon pollution, among many other things, are needed.

In other news, this week is National Wildflower Week and Garden for Wildlife Month! Take time to learn how you can bring beauty to your backyard! It’s an amazing opportunity to not only bring beauty, but to certify your wildlife garden too!

What’s happening at the National Wildlife Federation this week?

Leading Environmental and Conservation Groups and Deepwater Wind Announce Agreement to Protect Endangered Whales at Deepwater ONE Offshore Wind Farm Site

May 7- A coalition of leading environmental and conservation organizations — Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) — and Deepwater Wind today announced an agreement to implement additional protections for endangered North Atlantic right whales during pre-construction activities for the Deepwater ONE offshore wind farm, which will be developed off the Rhode Island and Massachusetts coasts.

Endangered Legacy: Climate Change Threatens Next Generation of Wildlife

May 7 – With Mother’s Day approaching and Father’s Day not far behind, future generations of America’s wildlife and our outdoor heritage are already being hurt by climate change, with urgent action needed at all levels to avoid catastrophic changes, according to a new National Wildlife Federation report. Released in the wake of the National Climate Assessment showing climate change is already impacting America, Wildlife Legacy: Climate Change and the Next Generation of Wildlife gives 15 examples of climate change harming young wildlife, from moose calves to tiger cubs.

NWF: Climate Assessment Shows Changes Outpacing Projections

May 6 – The National Climate Assessment released its third report today, featuring the input of more than a dozen federal agencies and hundreds of leading scientists and experts.

Patty Glick, senior global warming specialist with the National Wildlife Federation, spent two years working on the report and was a co-author of the Pacific Northwest chapter. She said today:

“What strikes me most about this report is how many changes we’re already experiencing and how quickly they’ve occurred. The first National Climate Assessment back in 2000 was considered a look into the future, but just 14 years later, we’re no longer just talking about forecasts and models.”

National College Students Competition Saves 3 Million Pounds of CO2 and 476,000 Gallons of Water

May 7 – Lucid, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the National Wildlife Federation and the Alliance to Save Energy announce that more than 265,000 students at 109 colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada collectively saved over 2.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity — equivalent to averting 3 million pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere and saving $196,000 through the Campus Conservation Nationals 2014 (CCN) contest. This year, Students also saved nearly 476,000 gallons of water, or the equivalent of 1.8 million water bottles this year.

Prairie Rivers Network Honored as National Wildlife Federation Affiliate of Year

May 8 – Prairie Rivers Network, based in Champaign, Ill., was named the National Wildlife Federation’s Affiliate of the Year for its successful conservation efforts that led to new protections from toxic coal ash, better oversight of factory farms, and advancing solutions to stop Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species from wreaking havoc on U.S. waters.

NWF Stands Up for Wildlife, Public Lands, Public Health at Annual Meeting

May 7 – The National Wildlife Federation, America’s oldest and largest wildlife conservation and education organization, capped a busy week with its annual Conservation Achievement Awards dinner on Wednesday, April 30 in Washington, DC, and its annual meeting in Baltimore over the weekend where Maryland’s National Aquarium hosted fellow NWF state affiliate organizations from across America. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy were among the speakers addressing the meeting, which featured the theme Water: It Connects Us All.

NWF in the News:

The Providence Journal: Deepwater Wind, environmental groups agree on protections for endangered whales

“The agreement between the Providence-based developer and the Conservation Law Foundation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Wildlife Federation was announced Wednesday morning and is aimed at reducing impacts to North Atlantic right whales, a critically endangered species with a total population of between 400 and 500 individuals.”

E&E News: Polar Bears adapted to climate change before, but this time their odds are worse

“David Mizejewski, a spokesman for the National Wildlife Federation, said genetic variation is vital in allowing a species to survive changing climates. “If a population or even a species is all pretty much genetically identical, if the environment changes, you are less likely that you will have any individuals that will survive the new conditions.”

The Denver Post: Annual National Wildlife Federation native plant sale set Saturday

“Bring your family outdoors and teach them about wildlife and the connection to your garden,” said Liz Eckstein, with NWF. “The Rocky Mountain region is home to an incredible array of native plants and shrubs. You can make a difference in the survival of birds, bees and butterflies and you get to reap the rewards by having amazing creatures pass through your garden throughout the year.”

C-Span: Senate Session, Part 1

“It is not often that you have the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Wildlife Federation supporting the same bill,” said Senator Shaheen.

The Queens Ledger: NWF presents Maspeth High with Green Flag

“The Green Flag award places Maspeth among an elite group of schools across the country that are improving their schools by reducing energy costs and waste, greening school grounds and nurturing student-scientists through hands-on learning,” said Emily Fano, NYC outreach manager with the Eco-Schools USA program.”

The Spokesman-Review: Spokane-based marine photographer has deep perspective

“Ranger Rick magazine, a wildlife publication for young readers produced by the National Wildlife Federation, is honoring Cole in the May issue as its 2013 Photographer of the Year. This is high praise considering that NWF publications feature the best of the best.”