In the late 1800s, “pot-hunters” – private collectors and thieves – prowled the Southwest in search of artifacts and prehistoric sites, leaving behind a trail of looted dwellings, remains, and … Read more
public lands
Explore Public Lands In Any Season
Since 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has worked to conserve the nation’s wildlife and wild places. As part of our 80th anniversary celebration, we are recognizing important moments in our … Read more

‘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

Living Fossils At Risk
Yet, human development has created uncertainty about their ability to endure the millennia, as development and pollution threaten their mating habitat. These remarkable, primitive creatures spawn each year in very … Read more

Bringing Tribes Back to National Parks
Native peoples have deep ties to our greatest known parks – Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Mesa Verde, Everglades – and many, many others. Indeed, it must be acknowledged that the … Read more

Reforms Needed to Protect Wildlife from Coal Leasing on Public Lands
We stand at a pivotal moment for coal development and public lands. As our energy sector rapidly shifts from dirty fuel sources to cleaner, safer ones, we have a chance … 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

What We Lose if We Sell Off a Wildlife Refuge
UPDATE: Due to tremendous pressure – including more than 20,000 NWF activists who spoke out to members of Congress – the sell-off of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was taken … Read more

Save Public Lands from a Super Pollutant
Public lands, those held in trust by the federal government for the American people, offer an important defense against climate change. Our public lands provide a variety of resources that … Read more