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An Open Letter to Aspiring Ecologists, Conservationists, and Naturalists April 28, 2025 Posted in: People and Wildlife To everyone striving to make a difference in ecology, conservation, and natural sciences, I know the journey isn’t always easy. Choosing to walk a path dedicated to understanding, protecting, and advocating for the natural world takes courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the bigger picture. As you work in wildlife, forestry, or fire ecology,… 
Igniting Interest: Introducing Students to the Art of Prescribed Burning April 28, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Deforestation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife The longleaf pine range of the Southeastern United States has seen a rapid decline in acreage as human development continues to cause significant declines in natural habitats. In an age where forest stewardship is more important than ever, education plays a crucial role in shaping future conservationists. Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) newest club, FireCats,… 
Community Benefits Plans: Where do they stand now? April 24, 2025 Posted in: Clean Energy, Environmental Justice On Martha’s Vineyard, where the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project was being planned, a local nonprofit advocated for community consultation about the project, local employment opportunities, and opportunities for power purchase agreements with the project developer, Vineyard Power. Discussion of these direct benefits to communities might have been far less likely without a community benefit… 
All Land is Native Land: Indigenous Peoples Deserve Access April 23, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife The strength and continuity of Indigeneity prevails to this day. Indigenous Peoples are resilient, enduring hundreds of years of attempts to eradicate their existence and culture. In a recent blog we talked about how the Lipan Apache Texas lineal descendants are rematriating and reclaiming their heritage with the land through the restoration of buffalo to… 
Start Snapping: The Garden for Wildlife® Photo Contest Returns this August! April 22, 2025 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside About the Photo Contest This year marks our seventh annual Garden for Wildlife® Photo Contest! This contest celebrates the power of photography to communicate the importance of supporting wildlife where people live. Whether that’s in a local park, community greenspace, balcony garden, or even your very own backyard, we want to see your photos! You… 
5 Questions We’re All Wondering About NBC’s THE AMERICAS April 18, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife The Americas has taken viewers on a fantastical journey of extraordinary worlds and wildlife of North and South America. We’ve seen majestic eagles plucking fish from the Chesapeake Bay, streetwise raccoons navigating the urban forests of New York City—baby bears tiptoeing down sheer cliffs in the Andes, and pink flamingoes prancing across wetlands. The cameras… 
Manatees: The Mermaids of the Sea April 18, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Wildlife Facts National Wildlife Federation teams up with LG Electronics (LG) for an ongoing campaign to highlight vulnerable and endangered species. This April, LG’s Time Square display spotlights the West Indian Manatee. The video brings to life our partnership with NBC’s The Americas, an epic 10-part nature documentary narrated by Tom Hanks, which showcases the majestic wildlife and wild places throughout North and South… 
Hop to It! Your Last-Minute Guide to Real “Good” Chocolate April 17, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Deforestation Still scrambling to fill your Easter baskets? Want to fill them with really “good” chocolate—the kind that not only is delicious, but also protects forests and wildlife? Don’t worry, last-minute shoppers—we’ve got your back. National Wildlife Federation proudly partners every year with the Chocolate Scorecard, led by Be Slavery Free, alongside dozens of other NGOs… 
15 Years Later: Opportunities for the Future April 17, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This is the third of a three-part blog series highlighting 15 key takeaways about the Gulf’s recovery since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 15 years ago—its wildlife, restoration successes, and the urgent need for continued investment for environmental and economic success. Read the first and second blogs in the series. What’s next? These are the major restoration… 
Getting to the Wild Side of Seattle April 16, 2025 Posted in: Get Outside April 7-13 was National Wildlife Week and April is Earth Month, a time to be especially aware of the ecosystem that sustains us and how we can be better stewards of the nature that surrounds us—be it in the wilderness, our cities, or our backyard. Back in my youth, I was a park ranger at… 
Dive Into Shark Education from the Classroom April 15, 2025 Posted in: Students and Nature With over 500 shark species in the world's oceans and declining populations due to human activities, shark education can provide critical knowledge to prepare young people to become the next generation of shark advocates, habitat conservationists, and scientists dedicated to species preservation. Keep reading to see how you can take your classroom on a virtual… 
15 Years Later: 5 Wins for Wildlife & Habitat After the Deepwater Horizon Spill April 14, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This is the second of a three-part blog series highlighting 15 key takeaways about the Gulf’s recovery since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 15 years ago—its wildlife, restoration successes, and the urgent need for continued investment for environmental and economic success. Read the first and third blogs in the series. While the spill was tragic… 
La cuenca del río Bad River y los Grandes Lagos enfrentan la misma amenaza April 10, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice Localizado al norte de Wisconsin, el Bad River, o Mashki-Sibi, es un río que desemboca en el lago Superior, uno de los cinco Grandes Lagos. Este río está en peligro debido a la Línea 5, un oleoducto de la petrolera canadiense Enbridge Energy que tiene una extensión de 1,038 kilómetros y transporta, cada día, 23… 
The Bad River and the Great Lakes region face the same threat April 10, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice The Bad River, or Maski-Sibi, that flows into Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin is endangered by Line 5. This is a pipeline of the Canadian oil company Enbridge Energy, that runs 1,038 kilometers and carries 23 million gallons of crude oil and liquid natural gas per day, from western to eastern Canada. The Bad River… 
The Future of Clean Energy is at Risk April 9, 2025 Posted in: Clean Energy, Conservation Across the United States, federal funding for clean energy and climate projects has been paused, frozen, or cancelled entirely. This comes at a time when the country’s energy grid is already strained, household energy prices are rising, and extreme heat worsened by climate change is increasing. What the country needs, now more than ever, is… 
15 Years Later: Reflecting on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill’s Legacy in the Gulf April 9, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This is the first of a three-part blog series highlighting 15 key takeaways about the Gulf’s recovery since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 15 years ago—its wildlife, restoration successes, and the urgent need for continued investment for environmental and economic success. Read the second and third blogs in the series. Fifteen years ago, the Deepwater… 
Ten National Wildlife Refuges That Need Our Support Most April 7, 2025 Posted in: Conservation When cold weather looms, hundreds of Florida manatees drift into Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, gathering around the warm springs that will keep them alive through winter. In this sanctuary, the slow-moving, placid “sea cows” find unspoiled habitat and abundant seagrass. Here, they are safe from the motor boats that have left scars on more… 
Introducing the 2025 NWF Education & Engagement Youth Advisory Council April 4, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Students and Nature The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Education & Engagement (E&E) team is thrilled to introduce the 2025 Youth Advisory Council (YAC). This dynamic group of 14 young leaders, ages 18-28, brings a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, climate action, and youth leadership. A Critical Role in Youth Leadership The Youth Advisory Council will play a vital… 
Community Spotlight: A Toxic Tour in Oxnard, California April 3, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice As the Senior Environmental Justice Coordinator at the National Wildlife Federation, I have engaged with a large number of environmental justice communities through our (currently paused) Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Grant (TCTAC). As with most advocates, I believe that the real work begins at home and is then ingrained into our work. As such, I… 
NYC Students Hold Silent Vigil at Climate Clock for Climate Education April 1, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Students and Nature On March 26, 2025, an intergenerational group of New York City students gathered with educators at the Climate Clock in the city's Union Square. The group included members of NWF’s Climate & Resilience Education Task Force’s (CRETF) Youth Steering Committee and Fridays for Future NYC. At the gathering, they called on state decision-makers to include a $536,000 funding allocation for climate… 
On the Hunt: Southern Resident Killer Whales Hunger for Vanishing Salmon April 1, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts When Tahlequah—a Southern Resident killer whale who led the news when she carried her dead calf for 17 days in 2018—began carrying another dead calf earlier this year, it was another clue for scientists that these whales are struggling. A food chain domino effect The Southern Resident killer whales are on the brink of extinction… 
5 Amazing Native Flowers for Your Garden March 31, 2025 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside Gardeners across the country are searching for flowers to make their gardens pop! While there are lots of considerations when it comes to choosing plants, one big one is whether they are native to your region! Native plants are essential to support local wildlife like butterflies, bees, birds, and more. Check out some of our… 
Weather is Warming, Look Out for Rattlers March 28, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Wildlife Facts Rattlesnakes are one of the most iconic groups of North American snakes due to the characteristic “rattle” found at the tip of their tails. Did you ever wonder what makes that rattle sound? A rattlesnake’s rattle is composed of a series of interlocking scales, which the snake adds to each time it molts. Muscle contractions… 
Now is the time to strengthen, not rollback, environmental protections March 27, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Do you remember the growing hole in the earth’s ozone layer? Or acid rain? Do you remember when bald eagles were close to extinction because there were less than 500 breeding pairs left in the wild? Unless you’re of a certain age, you may not remember those environmental crises at all, because today we’ve come… 
Making Sense of Butterfly Declines March 27, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts Butterflies have been in the news lately. In December 2024 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the proposed listing of the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. There are two populations of monarchs in the U.S. separated the Rocky Mountains, and both the western and eastern populations would be… 
Which Native Plant Are YOU? March 27, 2025 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside It’s rare that we think of plants as having personalities. Plants don’t typically exhibit a lot of the behaviors that we associate with personalities like talking, walking around, making faces, or even, well, having a face! But that doesn’t mean that plants don’t have character! Native plants form the base of any natural food web.… 
Los Planes de Acción Estatales para la Vida Silvestre Ayudan a Salvar Nuestra Biodiversidad March 24, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Desde las mariposas hasta las águilas calvas, la vida silvestre en todos los estados de EE. UU. enfrenta desafíos cada vez mayores. A nivel nacional, más de un tercio de todas las especies de plantas y animales enfrentan un mayor riesgo de extinción. Los Planes de Acción Estatales para la Vida Silvestre son la hoja… 7 Ways State Wildlife Action Plans Save Species March 24, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife From butterflies to bald eagles, wildlife in every U.S. state are confronting increasing challenges. Nationwide, more than one-third of all plant and animal species face heightened risks of extinction. State Wildlife Action Plans provide a blueprint for addressing this wildlife crisis, and 48 states and territories will publish their once-a-decade updates this year. These action… 
Community Spotlight: A Conversation with EJ Leader Vernice Miller-Travis March 18, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice This blog is part of the Environmental Justice Leaders Spotlight Series, where we highlight past and present figures committed towards building a healthy, sustainable, and just world. Vernice Miller-Travis is a trailblazing leader in the environmental justice (EJ) movement, whose advocacy has shaped local and national policy and empowered marginalized communities disproportionately burdened by pollution… 
Hope for Sea Turtles Amid Wildlife-friendly Lighting Ordinances March 18, 2025 Posted in: Conservation As mother sea turtles make their long trek through the open seas back to their birthplace, members of Escambia County’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program prepare to welcome them home and celebrate the new life this journey will bring. “Sea turtle hatchlings are the future of all sea turtles, like our children are our future,” says… 
2025 Critter Craziness March 18, 2025 Posted in: Wildlife Facts If you’re a wildlife lover, you know March brings the start of spring when animals begin to come out of hibernation. However, if you’re a sports fan, March brings basketball, when everyone fills out their brackets for March Madness. But what if we told you we have the best of both worlds? Welcome to National… 
In Texas, Rematriation Begins in Your Roots March 14, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife In Waelder, Texas, nearly 80 miles outside San Antonio, Lucille Contreras stands in a pasture surrounded by native grasses and trees. Her feet are rooted in the soil of a healing land and healing culture. But the land she stands on isn’t just a parcel to commoditize or take from, it’s her relative and ancestor… 
Salisbury University in Maryland becomes a Plastics Reduction Partner March 13, 2025 Posted in: Students and Nature The National Wildlife Federation is excited to award Salisbury University the Plastics Reduction Partner Bronze level certification for their efforts to reduce single-use plastics on campus. Salisbury University earned points towards their Bronze-level certification through actions to build awareness on campus about the harmful impacts of plastics, by encouraging behavior change to choose reusable over single-use… 
Powering Up Participatory Science in Bird Watching March 12, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife Crowdsourced Data Crowdsourced data have the potential to power up conservation programs with bird checklists from millions of birders. Data from participatory science programs and platforms, such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird, are being used to locate wind farms in places where eagles are less likely to be, and to select rice fields… 
Recruiting the 2025 Class of Graduate Student Research Fellows March 12, 2025 Posted in: Students and Nature National Wildlife Federation’s Education and Engagement Department regularly supports a cohort of Graduate Student Research Fellows who contribute to the advancement of programs across the department through dedicated research projects. Past fellows have completed research projects on a variety of topics including community partnerships, NWF’s EcoLeaders Community, environmental justice, Tribal Colleges and Universities to name… 
EPA’s Decision to Shutter Its Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Office Puts Communities at Risk March 11, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife As newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin begins to outline his vision for the agency, EPA did something that should concern every community and citizen across the country. It was announced that the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) placed more than 170 staff members under administrative leave.… 
“Weather” or Not: Nature Play in All Seasons! March 11, 2025 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside, Students and Nature The budding green of spring, the warm sun of summer, the colorful foliage of fall, and the brisk chill of winter—the majesty of our outdoor world is on display throughout the year! Each season provides a unique opportunity for young children and their families, caregivers, and educators to connect with nature in new and exciting… 
Coastal Resilience Program Update March 10, 2025 Posted in: Get Outside, People and Wildlife The tide is changing at NWF, and on this most recent current we swept up a new Senior Manager of Coastal Resilience! Allow us to introduce Kate Vogel, National Wildlife Federation’s new Mid-Atlantic Coastal Resilience Program Manager. Kate joined NWF in August of 2024, after working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for four… 
Reshaping Public Perspectives of Prescribed Fire: A Success Story from the Southeast March 7, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife Fire suppression dominated the 20th century, with campaigns and messaging warning the public about the danger of fires in forests. Generations of Americans grew up with Smokey Bear’s “Remember… Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires,” and although this phrase was astutely rephrased in the 21st century to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” fire sometimes remains… 
A Different Look at Conservation: Lessons from Belize March 4, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Deforestation, People and Wildlife Growing up around the forests, fields, rivers, and springs of Georgia’s coastal plain, I spent a lot of time in nature and developed a passion for working outside. As of last fall, I’ve been interning with the National Wildlife Federation’s Southeast Forestry Program and I’ve learned a lot about the natural world and have grown… 
Eco-Green Students Collect Data and Build Impact Through STEAM Education and Action February 27, 2025 Posted in: Students and Nature The National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Green is kicking off its 10th season as a collaboration of twenty schools across Michigan, Ohio, New York, and beyond to make change on their campuses by providing green STEAM and climate education through action-based EcoSchools U.S. projects. Each year, Eco-Green schools receive an action grant to carry out a STEAM… 
Honoring Legacy, Land, and Resilience: Mr. Blount’s Story February 27, 2025 Posted in: Get Outside, People and Wildlife For Mr. Blount, home is more than just a house—it is a living testament to perseverance, self-reliance, and history. A lifelong resident of Covington County, Alabama, he carries the legacy of his ancestors, who were once enslaved on the very land he now stewards. Through his own hands, he has built a home, a livelihood,… 
Upholding the Purpose of Executive Order 12898 and Protecting Environmental Justice February 26, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice Thirty-one years ago, on February 11, 1994, President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 12898. EO 12898 succinctly stated that: [E]ach Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations… 
QUIZ: Wildlife Migration Threats February 24, 2025 Posted in: Wildlife Facts Wildlife are facing many different kinds of threats—a major one being threats to migration patterns. From Canada lynx to greater sage-grouse, how well do you know wildlife migration habits and the factors affecting them? Test your knowledge with our quiz below! 
A Place for Wildlife to Live, Survive—and Thrive. February 24, 2025 Posted in: Conservation Every wild animal needs a place to live. But today, much wildlife habitat is under threat from human development and climate change, as well as fragmentation, which can interfere with natural migration. In addition, some wildlife species are territorial, which can limit their population density. To find mates and reproduce, many species must travel long… 
Monarchs: The Traveling Butterfly February 19, 2025 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Wildlife Facts National Wildlife Federation teams up with LG Electronics (LG) for an ongoing campaign to highlight vulnerable and endangered species. This February, LG's Time Square display spotlights the monarch butterfly. The video brings to life our partnership with NBC’s The Americas, an epic 10-part nature documentary narrated by Tom Hanks, which showcases the majestic wildlife and wild places throughout North and South America,… 
2025 NWF Education & Engagement Youth Advisory Council February 14, 2025 Posted in: Students and Nature What is the 2025 E&E Youth Advisory Council? Would you like to make a difference in shaping youth leadership and education opportunities in climate, biodiversity, and environmental justice? If so, we want to hear from you! The 2025 NWF Education & Engagement Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is your chance to make a meaningful impact during… 
Discovering Coastal Resilience in the Great Marsh February 12, 2025 Posted in: Get Outside, People and Wildlife Back in the early autumn of 2024, staff from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) led a guided trip for wildlife champions to the Great Marsh outside of Boston, MA. This was an opportunity for them to see the on-the-ground work NWF engages in with the support of donations like theirs. As a member of NWF’s… 
City of Angels: Wildfires, Community Resilience, and the Pursuit of Equity February 11, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice First and foremost, our deepest thoughts and prayers go to those who have been and are still being greatly affected by the brutal wildfires that swept Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. To those who lost their homes, people fearing for loved ones, and the brave firefighters out there who risked their lives, our thoughts… 
Women in Science: Pioneers and Protectors February 7, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice Each year, February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Observing this commemorative day means honoring all the women and girls that have fought to learn about, participate in, and get recognition for their contributions to scientific advancement. At a time when diversity is under attack and the truth of science… 