Judith Kohler

Judith Kohler is the communications manager in the National Wildlife Federation’s Rocky Mountain Regional Center in Denver. She focuses on public lands, wildlife and ways to keep the West wild. Before joining NWF, she was a reporter with The Associated Press where she covered politics, energy and the environment.

Drought, Fires Threaten Southwest’s Fish and Wildlife

Why are rescue missions being staged for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow? Sizzling, record-breaking temperatures and some of the lowest snowpack levels on record in the Southern Rockies have … Read more

Greater sage-grouse photo by Greg Bergquist

The Administration Leaves an Iconic Bird’s Fate Up in the Air

The fate of a one-of-a-kind bird that lives in a one-of-a-kind landscape is in limbo. So, why should anyone care? There are more than 350 reasons why. That’s the number … Read more

Energy Leases Canceled in Wildlife Habitat

The Interior Department has signed off on two decisions cancelling oil and gas leases on fish and wildlife habitat covering more than 70,000 acres. The areas affected — the Roan … Read more

sage grouse

‘Pedal to the metal’ to save the Greater Sage-Grouse

On Sept. 22, 2015, with the Front Range of the Rockies as a backdrop, Secretary Jewell announced the greater sage-grouse didn’t have to be placed on the endangered species list, thanks … Read more

Hard-Rock Mining Law Stuck in the Past

On Aug. 5, 2015, an estimated 3 million gallons of heavy-metal-laden mine wastewater washed down the San Juan Mountains into southwest Colorado’s Animas River. The water turned a sickly mustard yellow all … Read more

Vieques Wildlife Refuge Saved from Auction Block

The decision by members of Congress to leave the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge intact benefits thousands of wildlife species, some of which are not found anywhere else on earth. This … Read more

Congress, Leave the Strutting to Sage-Grouse

The greater sage-grouse’s annual mating dance on leks, or breeding grounds, is a one-of-a-kind spectacle that draws bird watchers from around the world to the Western U.S. The male sage-grouse … Read more

Birthday Gift Ideas for the National Wildlife Refuge System!

Here are a few ideas: Better fund the refuges Our public lands include more than 560 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts covering more than 150 million acres … Read more

Westerners Speak Out for Sage-grouse, Sagebrush Steppe

The ground-dwelling bird, not found anywhere else in the world, is a signature species of the ruggedly stunning sagebrush country. But, as sportsmen and women and other outdoor enthusiasts will tell you, … Read more

Wild Bison Return to the Colorado Prairie

There was a big party on the rolling prairie of northern Colorado, and the only thing the guests of honor wanted to do was gallop away. The roughly 200 celebrants were … Read more