The State of the Public Lands: Five Issues to Watch in the Coming Year
When President Biden goes before Congress to deliver the annual State of the Union address, he’s expected to talk about the overall successes Congress and his administration have had in the previous year and what he hopes to accomplish in 2023. We’d like to do the same when it comes to the state of our […]
Two Decades, 1.6 Million Acres: West Fork Grazing Permit Agreement Showcases Opportunity to Support At-Risk Wildlife
This month, in tandem with the 20th anniversary of its highly successful and innovative program resolving conflicts between livestock and at-risk wildlife, the National Wildlife Federation announced the addition of nearly 25,000 acres to its 1.6 million-acre portfolio of conflict-free public lands. Under the stewardship of the Federation’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution program, the added acreage, […]
In Unforgettable Bits and Pieces: How Three National Parks Stole My Heart
This summer took me to three of the nation’s natural treasures: Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Teton, and Isle Royale National Parks. Three completely different parts of the country, and each stole a bit of my heart. Let me give you just a glimpse of them! Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans into Tennessee, North Carolina, […]
Reforming Oil and Gas Leasing Will Benefit Wildlife, Our Public Lands, and Waters
The news that the U.S. Senate will soon vote on a reconciliation bill that contains important fiscal reforms for the oil and leasing system is terrific news for our public lands and waters and for American taxpayers. The Inflation Reduction Act will raise royalty and rental rates so that energy companies pay fair market prices […]
QUIZ: Where Should You Go Winter Wildlife Watching?
From the forest to the sea, there are lots of places you could be! Take our quiz to find out where you should go winter wildlife watching. The post QUIZ: Where Should You Go Winter Wildlife Watching? appeared first on The National Wildlife Federation Blog. Source: Public Lands
Thank you, President Biden, for Restoring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
As we crested the final rise of Boulder Mountain, my heart began to race. We were almost there. I pulled my truck into the viewpoint turnout and excitedly yelled at my wife and kids to get out and soak it all in. The big, bold, and beautiful expanse that is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument spread […]
2021 Great Lakes Region Agenda for Congress:
As the new Congress gets down to business after a bitter election—and post-election—that featured outright assaults on our democracy, we’re hearing a lot of talk about the need to unite our country. As a wildlife conservation organization, the National Wildlife Federation knows a thing or two about bringing people together from different parties, different regions, […]
Noncompetitive Leasing is Bad for Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation, and Taxpayers
Over the past three-and-a-half years, the Trump administration has prioritized oil and gas development over all other uses of America’s public lands. Anglers, hikers, bird watchers, and sportsmen have widely opposed this lopsided approach, recognizing that most of these leases threaten wildlife such as elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and cutthroat trout. The leases also threaten […]
QUIZ: Room to Roam
We have an exciting opportunity to help native wildlife in the western United States. From bison to grizzly bears and bighorn sheep, wildlife regularly face serious threats when they come into contact with domestic livestock. Our Adopt-a-Wildlife Acre program is making strides in giving native wildlife more room to safely roam by working with ranchers […]
“Energy Dominance”: Three Years of a Disastrous Policy for Wildlife and Communities
March 2020 marked a somber anniversary. Three years ago, the Trump administration announced its so-called “energy dominance” doctrine, which, as the name implies has put energy development as the priority for our public lands. Since then, the administration has tried to lease a whopping 24.5 million acres of public land—land that is meant to be […]