Secretaries Duncan and Salazar Team Up for Outdoor STEM Education on Public Lands
Earlier this month I had the honor of participating in the White House Conference on Conservation, where leaders from all 50 states convened for an update on and discussion about the Obama Administration’s America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative. AGO is an effort to develop a forward-looking conservation and recreation agenda in America, one that is built […]
Study: Conservation Corps Service Builds Leadership and Teamwork Skills
With the release of a report from Texas A&M University and the Public Lands Service Coalition, it comes as no surprise that serving in conservation corps could be a critical factor in a participant’s decision to pursue a career in conservation or natural resources. Conservation corps are national, state and local programs that engage youth […]
Alaska Well Blowout Still Out of Control While Congress Wants to Drill in Polar Bear Country
Breaking news reports are coming in that an exploratory oil and gas well on Alaska’s North Slope has triggered a blowout that is still out of control. Meanwhile, Congress is pulling out every trick in the bag to open up a new, pristine landscape on the North Slope: the coastal plain of the Arctic National […]
3 Reasons Why Secretary Salazar Should Get Kudos for Protecting the Grand Canyon
As one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World,” the Grand Canyon is probably the most famous natural place in the United States. Thanks to a recent decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Grand Canyon will continue to be as natural as possible. Yesterday Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced […]
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep In Jeopardy
Every summer I travel to my grandparents cabin on Wild Horse Islandon Flathead Lake near Missoula, Montana. My grandparents purchased their property back in the 1970s (and have the burnt orange shag to prove it), but since then the Island has been made into a Montana State Park. There are some fantastic wildlife-viewing opportunities on […]
Weekly News Roundup – November 10, 2011
The roundup is out a day early this week on account of the federal holiday tomorrow. Enjoy! Keystone XL Do-Over Likely a Lethal Blow November 10 – The Obama Administration today announced they would redo an environmental assessment of the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. “This do-over is likely a lethal blow. The project […]
Has Your Governor Submitted a Great Outdoors Month Proclamation?
America’s extensive and diverse outdoor spaces are a source of great national pride, and we have long strived to protect them for future generations. Great Outdoors Month highlights the benefits of getting outdoors and enjoying our wonderful shared resources of forests, parks, refuges, and other public lands and waters. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVD8CgRzLU[/youtube]Presidential recognition of Great Outdoors Week […]
Secretary Vilsack Announces $1,000,000 for Children’s Forests, Getting More Kids in the Woods
As today’s technologically advanced and media driven society reaches all ages, more and more children are opting to jump behind a computer screen or television rather than jumping on a bike or in a soccer goal. The sweeping disconnect with the outdoors, especially the natural world, is leading to epidemic levels of childhood obesity and […]
A Nightmare or a Dream Come True: Which Will Congress Choose for America?
Rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is a trip few Americans ever get to make. Unless you have the money to pay for a commercial trip, which can cost upwards of $2500 a person, you must possess either a great amount of luck or plenty of patience to obtain one of the […]
Victory for Bighorn Sheep
National Wildlife Federation’s continuing efforts to protect bighorn sheep have scored a major victory.