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PennFuture Moves Pennsylvania Forward September 10, 2024 Posted in: Conservation Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) is the Pennsylvania Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. We are thrilled to highlight the work of PennFuture and the unique challenges and approaches they take to conservation, environmental protection, and natural resource restoration across Pennsylvania. Climate change threatens Pennsylvanians When Hurricane Debby’s remnants moved through the Mid-Atlantic in early… 
Flora and Fauna in the Bird’s Foot Delta: Looking Forward September 10, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Growing up in Louisiana, I was always aware of water and the rivers that carry it to the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this, I did not gain an understanding of the importance of the Mississippi River until I learned its history. The coast of southeastern Louisiana was formed by gradual shifts in the Mississippi River,… 
Dam Removal on the Klamath River: A Vision for the Lower Snake River September 10, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife News stories have recently featured the largest dam removal project so far in the United States on the Klamath River. As a result, a 420-mile stretch of the Klamath will flow freely for the first time in more than a century, finally providing salmon “their best shot at long-term survival in the river.” While these articles… 
The Power of Prescribed Burning: A Practice That Unites Us All September 9, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife During a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, I found myself captivated by the landscape as I drove from the airport. Vibrant fields of sugar cane and bananas sprawled on both sides of the road, a testament to the country's rich agricultural heritage. My taxi driver informed me that nearly half of the Dominican Republic’s land is… 
One Cougar’s Legacy in the Heart of Hollywood September 9, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Los Angeles is well known for its celebrities, so when the fearless cougar P-22 gained fame for making his home in the midst of the city, he inspired an effort to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing and helped spark a national campaign to support crossings and corridors everywhere. When he came of age, P-22,… 
Gulf Coast Beaches: Let’s Get Wild! September 6, 2024 Posted in: Get Outside, People and Wildlife What do you think of when you picture the Gulf Coast? Swampy wetlands filled with wildlife like alligators, thriving tidal marshes home to sea turtles and some of the best recreational fishing in the country, or white sand beaches where you can enjoy plentiful sunshine and salty air? Unfortunately, many of these “wild beaches” are… 
Bringing Nature within Reach through Community Partnerships September 5, 2024 Posted in: Get Outside, Students and Nature When community-based, mission-aligned organizations come together to create innovative opportunities for young children and their families to get outdoors and into nature, wonderous things happen! With the support of a generous funder, the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) initiative embarked on three-year journey in Littleton, Colorado, to connect with partners and bring… 
Summer in Missoula Ushers in a “Pollinatorpalooza” September 5, 2024 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside, Students and Nature When Missoula Mayor Davis proudly proclaimed June 17-23 as Missoula Pollinator Week, we celebrated with a butterfly puddler painting event at the Missoula Public Library and kicked off the summer with a “Pollinatorpalooza” pint night at Imagine Nation Brewing Company. With our partners at Rocky Mountain Gardens, we hosted a volunteer day, planting and weeding… 
The Future of Conservation September 4, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice Many elders often share that their biggest hope for the future lies in youth. As a young woman and dedicated environmentalist, I’ve learned to internalize that responsibility. My generation has inherited a planet that is suffering—one that faces pervasive pollution, exploitation of precious resources, and the devastating impacts of climate change. If we wish to… 
QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Grasslands and Wildlife? September 4, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts Our nation’s grasslands are vital for addressing climate change, promoting sustainable agriculture, and the survival of countless wildlife. Congress can help save our rapidly disappearing prairies, savannas, glades, and sagebrush lands by passing The North American Grasslands Conservation Act to conserve and restore North America’s native grasslands and sagebrush shrub-steppe while supporting ranchers, farmers, Tribal… 
Dangers of Lawn Chemicals: Impacts and Alternatives August 30, 2024 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside, People and Wildlife Every year, an astounding 80 million pounds of pesticides are sprinkled across the lawns and gardens of North America. These chemicals, which originated from attempts to repurpose gases used in warfare for domestic utility, are now designed to keep our lawns lush by any means necessary. They may fulfill their promise of aesthetic perfection—but at… 
Protect Oak Flat: How to Help August 29, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife Read part one of this series here. To love Oak Flat is to protect Oak Flat. Opponents to Resolution Copper’s proposed mine come from all walks of life, including: visitors, local residents, rock climbers, environmentalists, and Indigenous peoples of the land. The diverse coalition of advocates highlights the profound significance of Oak Flat. For some,… 
Protect Oak Flat: Understanding What’s at Stake August 29, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife To know Oak Flat is to love Oak Flat. Visitors love the scenic views of towering rocks, oak trees, and flowing water. Locals love hosting family time and special events here, or just stopping by to pray for a while. Environmentalists love the unique plants, wildlife and endangered species that make a home here. Rock… 
Inspiring the Next Generation of Coastal Stewards August 28, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, Students and Nature The Long Island Sound is one of the largest estuaries in the United States—like other estuaries, the Sound is a highly productive ecosystem and provides critical habitat for hundreds of species of fish, birds, and marine organisms. It is also an important economic and recreational resource for the nearly nine million people who live in… 
Monitoring Bird Interactions with Offshore Wind Development August 26, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy, Conservation, People and Wildlife To tackle the climate crisis, we must transition to responsibly developed renewable energy such as offshore wind. Because no form of energy generation is without impact, offshore wind projects will require avoidance and risk reduction measures to ensure impacts to birds are responsibly addressed. National Wildlife Federation is proud to partner with the National Audubon… 
Florida State Parks Under Threat August 26, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife If you surveyed Floridians, the majority of them would likely agree that one of the best things about Florida is our state parks. We love our parks in Florida, and rightfully so. They’ve received national recognition (gold medal status!) four times in recent years and are widely used by Floridians and visitors from around the… 
Federal Investment in Clean Energy for Ohio August 22, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy Ohioans are beginning to see the positive impacts of recent federal investments in our state’s economy. These investments are thanks to legislation that was aimed at building up our nation's infrastructure and combating inflation. They are not only making our state more energy-independent but also slashing electric bills, curbing harmful pollution, and fostering job growth… 
Betty’s Pre-school and Child Development Center: A Center of Community and Heritage August 21, 2024 Posted in: Get Outside, Students and Nature Nestled in the heart of St. Stephen, South Carolina, Betty's Day Care and Pre-school, affectionately known in the community simply as Betty’s, stands as a testament to dedication, community, and the enduring legacy of Black land ownership. This vibrant establishment has been a cornerstone of the local community for over two decades, providing essential support… 
Harbor Wetland at the National Aquarium August 21, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife Hundreds of years ago, Baltimore’s coastline was teeming with life. The Inner Harbor was a tidal salt marsh filled with thousands of native marsh grasses, shrubs, and wildlife. Rain and melted snow were filtered through its soil and released into the Patapsco River before traveling into the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, keeping the waterways… 
Turtle Cove: Carbon Management Community Engagement in Louisiana August 20, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy, Conservation The Lake Maurepas monitoring project Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) manages the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station on Lake Maurepas, which lies directly west of Lake Pontchartrain and is known for its miles of brackish water and an abundance of wildlife. The Research Station provides research opportunities for university students and educational events for community members.… 
Water protection: Securing the source of all life August 19, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice This blog is Part Three of a three part series, highlighting the core priorities of National Wildlife Federation’s strategy to enhance Tribal and Indigenous partnerships for collaborative conservation: Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission, Food Sovereignty, and Water Protection. The values of sovereignty, self-determination, and free, prior and informed consent are foundational to our approach. Take a look… 
EcoGreen Stories on Habitat Restoration to School-Wide Composting and Green Careers August 15, 2024 Posted in: Students and Nature It’s year nine of NWF’s EcoGreen, collaborating with schools across Michigan, Ohio, and beyond to make change on their campuses by providing green STEM and climate education through action-based EcoSchools projects. Thanks to the generous support of General Motors, twenty schools reached 10,700 students with the support of 241 teachers and staff as they implemented… 
A Tremendous Year of Growth for Trees for Wildlife™ August 15, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Garden Habitats One of the most vital actions we can take for climate and ecosystem resilience is planting native trees—which is why we are thrilled to announce that in 2024, our Trees for Wildlife™ program sponsored the planting and community giveaway of over 59,000 native trees! Native Forests are Vital Native tree seedling giveaway at NWF NRPP… 
Milton Ranch Restoration: A Case Study for Successful Collaboration August 15, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife Milton Ranch, just north of Roundup, Montana, is 15,000 acres and sits within one of the largest mostly-intact grassland ecosystems in the world. The grasslands are home to pronghorn, deer, elk, and prairie dogs. Many birds visit the ranch as well, including ducks and geese, white pelicans and cormorants, and bird species of concern like… 
Voting for Our Planet: Environmental Justice & the 2024 Elections August 14, 2024 Posted in: Environmental Justice In the heart of every election lie crucial choices that extend far beyond party lines—choices reverberating in our changing climate and the distant cries of the disenfranchised. In this election, every voter should make their voice heard since lawmakers make decisions affecting the planet and matters of environmental justice (EJ). EJ is not just a… 
Show and Tell: We Want Your Videos! August 13, 2024 Posted in: Get Outside, People and Wildlife Call for content! We want to see your videos and photos from your recent adventures on public lands. Why do you love public lands? What inspires you to get outside? Submit your video for a chance to be featured on our social media channel and receive a public lands sticker. Submission guidelines and suggestions are… 
Restoring Natural Processes August 8, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Aquatic restoration, using techniques that mimic natural processes such as beaver damming, is one way local practitioners are working together to restore riverscapes and bring back a spring blanket of blue camas to the landscape, described in part one of the series. When we rely on nature as our guide to show us the way,… 
Food Sovereignty: The combined powers of food & community August 7, 2024 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife This blog is Part Two of a three part series, highlighting the core priorities of National Wildlife Federation’s strategy to enhance Tribal and Indigenous partnerships for collaborative conservation: Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission, Food Sovereignty, and Water Protection. The values of sovereignty, self-determination, and free, prior, and informed consent are foundational to our approach. “Together these plants—corn,… 
Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie August 7, 2024 Posted in: Conservation The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its seasonal projection for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Western Lake Erie for 2024. These blooms, made up of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are dangerous to humans and animals, foul coastlines, and disrupt the lives of people and businesses that depend on the… 
Restoring Rivers, Revitalizing Connections to the Land August 7, 2024 Posted in: Conservation Camas is a defining feature in the meadows of western Montana. But they need a healthy riverscape. Stream restoration, using techniques that mimic natural processes such as beaver dams, is central to the effort to bring back a spring blanket of blue camas to the landscape. Three centuries ago, many wet meadows of western Montana would… 
Wildlife Go for Gold August 6, 2024 Posted in: People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts The 2024 Summer Olympics holds 32 different sports with 206 Olympic national teams vying for gold, but how would North American wildlife stack up against top athletes? Learn if a 1600-pound mammal could beat Michael Phelps' max swimming speed, the crazy deep-diving world record set by a whale, the leaps and bounds of a small… 
Grasslands: A Disappearing Ecosystem August 5, 2024 Posted in: Conservation If you were to ask someone what they think a cowboy is, I bet you would get a pretty similar answer to mine. My mind conjures images of vast, open expanses of prairie filled with birds, bees, butterflies, elk, deer, and buffalo. A cowboy drives his herd towards greener pastures and in the distance, mountains… 
Tampa Bay at a Crossroads August 2, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Over the course of my life-time, Tampa Bay—the largest open water estuary in Florida—has gone from neglected and polluted to revived, revered and healed. For decades, elected leaders, government agencies, non-profit groups, universities and thousands of citizen volunteers banded together in the shared and higher purpose of saving Tampa Bay. For many years, it… 
Beat the Heat: Providing Water for Wildlife in Your Garden July 30, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Garden Habitats As the summer sun blazes and temperatures soar to unprecedented heights, it’s not just people that are feeling the heat. Wildlife in our gardens, parks, and natural spaces are also struggling to stay cool and hydrated. During these sweltering months, providing water sources for wildlife in your garden is certainly a compassionate act, but also… 
What is Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal? July 30, 2024 Posted in: Conservation The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is excited to share a new resource on a technology that has the potential to help us in our fight against climate change. This technology is called Marine Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Removal (mCDR). To understand mCDR, let’s first discuss CDR as a broader concept. CDR is a suite of technologies… 
Why We Must Manage Old Growth Forests for the Future July 30, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Deforestation We all know the intangible benefits that old growth forests provide: they inspire artists, poets, writers, and photographers– and are places for solace, reflection, spirituality, and healing. But older forests also supply numerous tangible benefits, such as clean drinking water for millions of people, habitat for more than 3,000 species of wildlife and plants, and… 
Wild Birds Unlimited: A Longtime Habitat Champion July 29, 2024 Posted in: Garden Habitats, People and Wildlife For anyone who has ever filled a bird feeder, there’s a unique kind of joy that comes from seeing the first songbird visit. Even those who may not consider themselves “birders” quickly become enamored with the diversity of colors, sizes, songs, and behaviors, and begin to seek out ways to attract more species to their… 
Shark Week: Five Fin-credible Facts July 29, 2024 Posted in: Wildlife Facts Did you know there are more than 500 species of sharks? They can be found in every ocean in the world and can even live in freshwater environments. Sharks are highly adaptable animals that have lived on this planet for over 400 million years, coming in all shapes and sizes, with capabilities to survive in… 
El Misterio de las Monarcas en el Sur de Texas July 29, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Garden Habitats, People and Wildlife En el corazón del sur profundo de Texas, a lo largo del poderoso Río Bravo y cerca de las costas arenosas de South Padre Island, se encuentra la región conocida como Valle Bajo del Río Bravo (Lower Rio Grande Valley). Miles de aves que viajan desde las Grandes Llanuras en Estados Unidos y Canadá hasta… 
NWF EcoLeader Awarded Oregon Department of Forestry Urban & Community Forestry Award July 29, 2024 Posted in: Students and Nature NWF EcoLeader Michael Calhoun has received the statewide Oregon Urban & Community Forestry Award from the Oregon Department of Forestry. The award was given in recognition of Michael’s leadership for the planting of a Hiroshima Peace Tree in Vernonia, Oregon. The Hiroshima Peace Tree Project is a partnership between Japan and the United States where… 
Where the Wild Trolls Are July 23, 2024 Posted in: People and Wildlife, Students and Nature Growing up among the trees, lakes, and fields of central Minnesota, I loved watching the fantastical animated films created by Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki over and over. Many of those movies have environmental themes woven throughout them–Miyazaki is a longtime environmentalist and has talked in interviews about his deep concern for the future of the… 
Addressing the Whale in the Room: Offshore Wind Development & Rice’s Whales July 22, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy, Conservation, People and Wildlife Offshore wind energy development is making waves in the Gulf of Mexico with a second auction proposed in 2024 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The five-year offshore wind leasing plan announced in April 2024 also includes lease sales anticipated in 2025 and 2027. The first ever auction for offshore wind in the… 
Intergenerational Knowledge: Weaving the past with the present July 22, 2024 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife This blog is Part One of a three part series, highlighting the core priorities of National Wildlife Federation’s strategy to enhance Tribal and Indigenous partnerships for collaborative conservation: Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission, Food Sovereignty, and Water Protection. The values of sovereignty, self-determination, and free, prior, and informed consent are foundational to our approach. If you reside… 
Queen Bess Island: Restoration Success After Oil Spill Impact July 22, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Today, just a short boat ride from Grand Isle, Louisiana, a small island on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico is bustling with activity. Not with sunbathers, but with birds. On Queen Bess Island, brown pelican, laughing gull, royal tern and sandwich tern are flying overhead, making their nests and raising their young. This… 
Rethinking Hydropower to Restore Northwest Rivers July 17, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife The Department of Interior recently released the Tribal Circumstances Analysis, which acknowledged that the construction and operation of 11 hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers has had a devastating effect on eight Northwest Tribes and salmon runs. Before the dams were built, salmon in the Columbia River Basin were plentiful and a fixture… 
Why is Carbon Management Relevant to Louisiana? July 17, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy Carbon management, an umbrella term that refers to a suite of technologies and practices, is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before they enter the atmosphere or removing historic emissions to decrease the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and reduce climate change impacts. Carbon management is divided into two main sectors: carbon… 
Carbon Management Community Concerns in Louisiana July 17, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy, Environmental Justice Carbon management is supported by corporations and the state government in Louisiana for its potential to reduce emissions and support the industrial economy. Yet, despite the potential for Louisiana to utilize carbon management technology, there are drawbacks that require thorough consideration. Drawbacks of Carbon Management Carbon capture, if not implemented alongside thorough emissions mitigation tactics… 
Students on Climate: “We’re Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands” July 15, 2024 Posted in: Students and Nature Taking Climate Education Into Their Own Hands All across New York state and the world, K-16 climate education is extremely limited. The National Wildlife Federation’s intergenerational Climate and Resilience Education Task Force (CRETF) in New York is working to address this urgent need through policy, advocacy, coalition-building, and growing a youth movement in support of… 
5 Ways to Support Fireflies in Your Yard July 10, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Garden Habitats, Wildlife Facts Catching a firefly is like catching a star. It’s a core memory for many American children: the crisp summer evening air, the far-off songs of insects and frogs, and the magical glow of a firefly delicately cupped between a child’s hands. These incredible insects can be found in every state of the continental United States,… 
Geothermal: Heat that can help July 10, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy Despite all the doom and gloom often associated with lack of government response to the climate crisis, there is much to feel positive about. Wind and solar power generation is booming thanks to historic federal investments in clean energy and technologies via the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Electric vehicles… 