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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 kind of threats—a major one being threats to migration patterns. From Canada lynx to Florida manatees, 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… 
Sowing the Seeds of Knowledge: A Longleaf For All Field Day Recap February 6, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Deforestation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife On October 29, 2024, the Southeast Forestry program hosted an engaging field day in Tuskegee, Alabama, focused on forestry and wildlife management for landowners and outreach professionals. The gathering brought together eight landowners and over 10 professionals from across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana, providing a unique opportunity for them to dive deep into longleaf… 
MLK Day 2025 & Climate Change Intervention January 30, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, Students and Nature Through a generous grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Wildlife Federation’s Earth Tomorrow program partnered with the West Atlanta Water Shed Alliance (WAWA) to provide students with climate change education and intervention strategies for the 2025 MLK Day of Service. Through NWF’s Eco-Schools U.S. program, schools will gain certification for their efforts… 
Protecting the Red Wolf: The Most Endangered Wolf in the World January 29, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts National Wildlife Federation teams up with LG Electronics (LG) for an ongoing campaign to highlight vulnerable and endangered species. In December, LG featured the Red Wolf, the most endangered wolf in the world, as the fourth animal in the campaign series with NWF. Experience the red wolf in stunning 3D anamorphic display on LG’s Times Square billboard… 
A Plan for the Great Northwoods Forest Management January 28, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife The forests of Michigan have always been my playground and my classroom. My earliest memories are from a perch on the back of my mother’s bike, weaving through the sun-dappled trails of northern Michigan. As I got older, I traded the bikes for boots, following my father and grandfather on hunts for deer and grouse… 
Awake in Winter: How Climate Change is Disrupting Black Bear Hibernation January 24, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts Imagine stepping outside on a crisp winter morning and spotting a black bear rummaging through your trash can. Snow blankets the ground, and the air is chilly—conditions we associate with bears being fast asleep in their dens. But increasingly, that’s not the case. Across North America, black bears are staying awake longer into winter or… 
TCTAC Partner Spotlight: University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center January 23, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice It’s been almost a year and a half since the Region 3 Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center grant (TCTAC) launched as the Mid-Atlantic Climate Action Hub, composed of the National Wildlife Federation, the University of Maryland, and the following nine organizations and institutions that serve environmental justice communities across the Mid-Atlantic region: South Baltimore Community… 
Collaboration on the Road to Whole-School Sustainability January 22, 2025 Posted in: Students and Nature Join the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) March 3-4, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, for this year’s Green Schools Conference (GSC). We are proud to again be one of over a dozen promotional partners supporting this annual event. This two-day event provides a platform for the green schools community that inspires and facilitates the progress of the… 
The NICER: Natural Infrastructure Center for Environmental Justice and Resilience January 16, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice The National Wildlife Federation is excited to announce we are building the Natural Infrastructure Center for Environmental Justice and Resilience (NICER), led by our Environmental Justice, Health, and Community Resilience and Revitalization (EJHCR2) Program! This initiative is intended to strengthen the National Wildlife Federation’s ability to authentically support and partner with communities that are the… 
What to Expect from Lee Zeldin, Trump’s Pick for EPA Administrator January 14, 2025 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife After pulling off a win on election night, President Trump has begun the process of appointing his cabinet picks for his second and final term in the White House. Lee Zeldin, one of the president’s most ardent supporters, is on the verge of being confirmed to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin is a former… 
Helping Communities Reduce Risk from Natural Disasters by Investing in Nature January 14, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Get Outside, People and Wildlife With extreme weather on the rise, communities across the country are turning to 'nature-based solutions' such as restoring floodplains, planting trees, and creating natural areas that store stormwater to reduce risk and improve quality of life. Implementing nature-based solutions is largely up to each local community–but many planners are stretched thin and lack the resources to… 
UN Biodiversity Conference COP16 Marks Major Wins for Indigenous Peoples, Falls Short on Climate Finance January 10, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife The U.S. is one of only 17 countries across the globe classified as a megadiverse country; it is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Despite this, the U.S. did not get a vote at the United Nations (UN) biodiversity negotiations this year. While all eyes were on the upcoming UN Framework Convention on… 
From Advocacy to Exploration: Youth Advocates in the California Central Coast January 7, 2025 Posted in: Conservation, Environmental Justice, Students and Nature The California Central Coast is a prime example of a beautiful ecosystem, featuring abundant natural resources, picturesque coastlines, and a diverse array of native and endemic species. From the Chumash marine sanctuary to the Channel Islands, communities have lived in and enjoyed this abundance of resources and its rich history. But like many communities, the… 
5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Garden December 20, 2024 Posted in: Garden Habitats, Get Outside, People and Wildlife The new year is a fantastic time for making meaningful resolutions and doing some garden planning! This year, we’re sharing five great New Year’s resolutions for your very own wildlife garden. Choose one to commit to this year or make your own and share it with us! 1. Turn an Area of Turf Grass into… 
In the “Endangered Species Capital of the World,” A Win for Hawaiian Seabirds December 12, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Out of the darkness on a high volcanic slope, a haunting chorus of wails and shrieks pierces the night sky. This is the enigmatic call of the Hawaiian petrel, or ‘Ua‘u, an iconic member of Hawai‘i’s natural heritage. Once common across the islands, human activities have driven these birds—like so many native Hawaiian species—to the… 
Raising Youth Voices at the IUCN U.S. Regional Conservation Forum December 12, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Only seven hands went up, when a room filled with over 100 conservationists was asked “Who here is under the age of 35?” Conservation leaders from around the country flew to Conservation International’s headquarters to attend the IUCN’s U.S. Regional Conservation Forum. Standing at the front of the room, my hand was one of the… 
United States Proposes Listing Monarchs as a Threatened Species December 11, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, Garden Habitats, Wildlife Facts This December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed a listing of the North American migratory monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. So, what does that new potential listing mean for the monarch butterfly? Read along as we unpack the significance of this listing and what you can do to help… 
TCTAC Partner Spotlight: Centro de Apoyo Familiar’s Transforming Communities Conference December 9, 2024 Posted in: Environmental Justice, People and Wildlife For those based in the Mid-Atlantic area, here is an organization that you might want to keep an eye on: Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF). Founded in Massachusetts in 2006, this organization has spent almost 20 years supporting low-income and immigrant families, providing essential services like housing counseling, food distribution, workforce development, and environmental health… 
Reconnecting Louisiana’s Maurepas Swamp to the Mississippi River: A Restoration Milestone December 9, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife Picture this: ancient cypress trees rising like sentinels from quiet, dark waters. Bright yellow Prothonotary Warblers flit through the canopy, and alligators glide silently below. Louisiana’s Maurepas Swamp is not only one of the largest forested wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico, but is home to some of the state’s most iconic wildlife and a… 
Nature-Based Solutions Needed to Combat Appalachia’s Growing Flood Risks December 6, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This blog is part of a series detailing the flood resilience policy roadmap for Appalachia, released by ReImagine Appalachia, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and the National Wildlife Federation. Read parts one, two, and three. Boone County was once West Virginia’s premier coal producing county. Coal extraction in Boone increased from six million tons in 1950… 
Flood Mapping for Appalachia December 6, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This blog is part of a series detailing the flood resilience policy roadmap for Appalachia, released by ReImagine Appalachia, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and the National Wildlife Federation. Read parts one, two, and four. Across many parts of the U.S., flooding is becoming more frequent and more severe due to climate change. Which means flood… 
Low-Income Appalachians Face Flood Recovery Challenges December 6, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This blog is part of a series detailing the flood resilience policy roadmap for Appalachia, released by ReImagine Appalachia, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and the National Wildlife Federation. Read parts one, three, and four. Hurricane Helene highlighted the devastation that flooding can have on rural communities, and underscores the new normal of flood risk in… 
Appalachia Governments Need More Assistance to Combat Flood Risks December 6, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife This blog is part of a series detailing the flood resilience policy roadmap for Appalachia, released by ReImagine Appalachia, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, and the National Wildlife Federation. Read parts two, three, and four. Jenkins, Kentucky, is a fairly small town. Mayor Todd DePriest knows most of the approximately 1,800 residents directly, and they know… 
Bringing Responsible Offshore Wind Development to the Port of Long Beach December 4, 2024 Posted in: Clean Energy Launching a new energy industry like floating offshore wind on the West Coast comes with a number of challenges. Among these is that a multitude of projects and procedural steps must be fully funded, completed, and conditions met on time to ultimately generate and transmit clean energy to the grid. If any part of that… 
Using Fire to Fight Fire December 2, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife 2024 has been yet another brutal wildfire season in the United States, with 8.1 million acres burned so far this year. This is no coincidence—warmer, drier conditions resulting from climate change are resulting in larger and more severe fires, particularly in the western United States. As threats increase to communities and wildlife in the path… 
Why the 2024 Farm Bill Can’t Wait November 27, 2024 Posted in: Conservation, People and Wildlife The Farm Bill is a multi-year legislative package that touches on many aspects of farm policy, including support for farmers to adopt sustainable practices that promote wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, and carbon sequestration. It is reauthorized about every five years and Congress passed the most recent Farm Bill in 2018. With billions of… 
Musing in Missoula: Reflections of an AmeriCorps Member November 25, 2024 Posted in: Garden Habitats, People and Wildlife, Students and Nature 2024 was a year of pulling cheatgrass, traveling to Lowe’s to exclusively purchase concrete and stacks of terra cotta planter bases, tabling through direct sun and pouring rain, and enjoying every minute! My name is Eliza Lindley, and I was this year’s AmeriCorps member serving at NWF’s Northern Rockies, Prairies, and Pacific office. My role… 
Bat Week in Missoula November 25, 2024 Posted in: People and Wildlife, Wildlife Facts Na na na na na na na na, na na na na na na na na, BAT WEEK! In case you’ve been missing out, we’re here to inform you that there is an international celebration every fall focusing the spotlight on bats and their importance in our ecosystems. This year, Bat Week took place from… 
Small Steps, One Chair at a Time: 2024 Furniture Scorecard November 25, 2024 Posted in: Deforestation In today’s world, with the climate crisis and climate anxiety on the rise, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. However, one powerful way to make a difference is making more informed decisions about everyday purchases. Small steps can add up, and one area where our choices can have a big impact is in the… 