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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR REGION:
Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of National Wildlife Federation, is Coming to Seattle -- and You're Invited
September 29, 2009
Join the Seattle Aquarium Society and National Wildlife Federation on October 19th for a special presentation by Larry Schweiger, President & CEO of National Wildlife Federation and author of Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth.
Climate change is happening more rapidly than predicted, affecting every region of the United States and the world. To avoid passing on to future generations a fundamentally different planet than the one we have enjoyed, we must take action now to reduce the worst impacts of global warming.
In Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth, Larry Schweiger breaks down the science behind global climate change and takes us from Lake Erie to the icebergs of Greenland, and from Congress to America's classrooms and farmlands. He shares how a clean energy economy can provide the solutions we need to avert the worst consequences of climate change and he uses science and common sense to appeal to the minds and hearts of readers. Ultimately, Larry reminds us that we have a duty to think and act as the Earth's caretakers, not just the inhabitants.
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What: A Special Evening with Larry Schweiger, President & CEO of National Wildlife Federation
When: Monday, October 19. Reception from 6:45 to 7:15 pm, Presentation and Book Signing from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where: Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59.
(Street parking is available along the waterfront and underneath the Alaskan Way viaduct -- free after 6pm.)
RSVP: Information and ticket sales. | |
Urge Rep. Norm Dicks to Be a Wildlife Champion
October 6, 2009
State wildlife agencies need a boost in federal funding to begin addressing the impacts of climate change on wildlife.
The Obama administration recommended $115 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program in the FY10 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill (HR2996). The House of Representatives agreed and approved this amount so that state wildlife agencies had sufficient resources to address the impacts of climate change on wildlife and habitat. However, the Senate approved only $80 million for this program and did not specifically direct funding toward climate change planning and implementation.
Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) was instrumental in securing the $115 million in the House bill and his continued leadership will be critical to sustaining this higher level of funding to address climate impacts during negotiations with the Senate over the next few days.
TAKE ACTION! Please send a message to House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Norm Dicks (D-WA), urging him to adopt additional funding to address the impacts of climate change on wildlife and habitat.
Association of Northwest Steelheaders Form New Chapter
August 17, 2009
On August 13th in Bend, Oregon, the Association of Northwest Steelheaders (National Wildlife Federation's Oregon affiliate), celebrated the formation of a new Central Oregon chapter.
Many eastern Oregon sportsmen attended and joined the new chapter, and a great lineup of speakers rounded out the night.
Learn more about the work the Northwest Steelheaders are doing to further their mission: "Anglers dedicated to enhancing and protecting fisheries and their habitats for today and tomorrow."
No Oregon Child Left Inside Passes
Legislation will increase environmental education in Oregon
July 6, 2009
From the Environmental Education Association of Washington website:
The No Oregon Child Left Inside Act (NOCLI) will establish a state environmental literacy plan, an environmental education grant program and an Environmental Education Advisory Council to guide Oregon in a common strategic vision for environmental education. This framework will support our youth in getting outside and reconnected with local forests, backyard streams, local farms, and nearby rivers. NOCLI will help our youth develop the knowledge and skills they will need to devise creative solutions to complex natural resources challenges. It will result in no new educational mandates, nor will it take away funding from current educational programs and efforts.
Specifically, NOCLI will:
* Articulate a statewide philosophy for environmental education;
* Develop the framework for a state environmental literacy plan;
* Create an Environmental Education Advisory Council; and
* Establish an Environmental Education grant program to support synergistic activities.
National Wildlife Federation worked with our Oregon affiliate, the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, to help pass this bill. To read more about the bill, please go to http://www.nocli.org/.
Join the "Be Out There" movement to get children outside, connecting to nature!
FEMA is Hampering Recovery of Oregon's Salmon and Steelhead
Federal Flood Insurance Program Violates Endangered Species Act
June 26, 2009
On June 25th, 2009 the Audubon Society of Portland, in conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation, Northwest Environmental Defense Center, and the Association of Northwest Steelheaders filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stating that FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) violates the Endangered Species Act. Press release.
Read more about our work on safeguarding floodplains.
(7-9-09) National Wildlife Federation just released a new report on flooding and global warming. Read the:
Huge Victory in Oregon - Metolius River Basin Protected
June 23, 2009
In a stunning reversal, the Oregon House passed HB 3298 on Monday, extending unprecedented state protection to the Metolius River basin.
Thanks to an outpouring of letters and contact from the public, the Metolius will become an Area of Critical Statewide Concern, a never before-used designation that strictly limits development.
Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, said he had changed his mind and supported the bill following a "convincing" phone call from the governor and "an outpouring" of letters and contacts from the public.
This is a great example of the power of concerned citizens to influence decision-makers. Generations of Oregonians will now be able to enjoy the profound beauty of the Metolius River Basin.
A big thank you to all our constituents who contacted their representatives, helping protect the clear water, abundant fish and wildlife and natural beauty of the Metolius basin.
Climate Change Affecting Marine Life in the Northwest
June 16, 2009
In Washington state, oysters in some areas haven’t reproduced for four years, and preliminary evidence suggests the increasing acidity of the ocean is likely the cause.
As greenhouse gas emissions increase, billions of tons of carbon dioxide from smokestacks and vehicle tailpipes are absorbed by the oceans. When the gas dissolves, the result is carbonic acid, which is impairing sea left faster and more dramatically than expected.
Increased acidity of ocean water hampers the ability of a wide variety of marine organisms, such as oysters, clams, crabs, plankton, and corals, to form calcium carbonate shells and skeletonal structures. Researchers believe that at crucial stages in the larval and juvenile stages in the lives of many marine invertebrates, ocean acidification inhibits calcification, and also appears to affect reproduction and growth in some organisms.
Federal studies have found acidity levels in the North Pacific and off Alaska that are unusually high compared to other ocean regions. The high acidity is already taking a toll of such tiny species as pteropods, which are an important food for salmon and other fish. In fact, pteropods make up 60 percent of the food for Alaska's juvenile pink salmon. Similar creatures support many of the major fish species in Alaska's North Pacific, which in turn supports the billion-dollar Seattle-based industry that provides half the nation's catch of fish.
Ocean acidity has increased 30 percent in the last 100 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA also projects that, by the end of this century, current levels of carbon dioxide emissions would result in the lowest levels of ocean pH in 20 million years.
Learn more about ocean acidification:
White House Releases Major Report on Climate Change
June 16, 2009
The White House and the U.S. Global Change Research Program have just released a long-awaited, comprehensive scientific assessment of climate change impacts in the United States. It presents the first region-by-region analysis of our vulnerability to climate change since 2001 and represents the best available climate science in the United States. The report outlines choices based on various global emissions scenarios including one that transitions the U.S. to a clean energy future versus business as usual reliance on fossil fuels.
Read about impacts to:
Kick-off the Summer and Celebrate Great Outdoors Month
June 2, 2009
National Wildlife Federation, the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) and several other national groups asked President Obama and all U.S. Governors to issue public proclamations to urge Americans to get outdoors during June as Great Outdoors Month. On June 1st, President Obama issued the official declaration.
The majority of governors have issued proclamations declaring June as Great Outdoors Month in their states, and many have taken further actions ranging from Governor’s Outdoor Conferences to hosting campouts for local kids on their state capitol grounds. In our region, the governors of Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii have all issued state proclamations.
Great Outdoors Month highlights the benefits of active fun outdoors and our magnificent shared resources of forests, parks, refuges, and other public lands and waters. So take the opportunity to discover a new state park or national forest, re-visit a favorite place or simply campout in the comfort of your own backyard. The idea is to unplug from our daily lives, get outdoors and enjoy the time with family and friends.
One great way to celebrate Great Outdoors Month is to participate in National Wildlife Federation's Great American Backyard Campout™ on Saturday, June 27th. You can find free camping tips, activities, games, recipes and more at the Great American Backyard Campout™ website.
June 1, 2009
Stop the Closure of Over 200 California State Parks: Take Action Today
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On Thursday night, the Governor announced a new proposal to eliminate state funding for our state park system which will close more than 80% of the 279-unit state park system. Tomorrow, the Legislature's Budget Conference Committee will consider this proposal.
Please take a moment to help save California's state parks.
Nearly every state park in California -- from Big Basin, the oldest state park, to Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which boasts the world's tallest tree -- would close as part of budget cuts proposed by the Governor.
Please take action TODAY and tell the Governor and your legislators to reject the proposal and save our state parks.
Our state parks exist to provide educational and recreational opportunities, allow us to reconnect with nature, preserve important cultural and historic resources, and aid the state in protecting key natural resources.
This proposal will shut the doors to millions of Californians who rely on state parks for outdoor recreation and vacations, weaken much-needed tourism revenue for local businesses, cities and the state, and lay-off thousands of dedicated state park employees during an economic downturn.
We must stop the Governor's plan to close over 200 of our state parks.
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Alki Celebrates Wildlife Habitat Certification
May 23, 2009
A small but loyal crowd gathered at the Alki Bathhouse Saturday, May 23, to witness the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Senior Regional Education Coordinator Courtney Sullivan certify Alki as a Community Wildlife Habitat area, the reward of a six-year effort by the Alki Wildlife Habitat Project.
The project was initiated by the Alki Community Council.
More than 100 Alki residences, businesses and public places established "backyard gardens" to fulfill the NWF's criteria for certification. These gardens required such elements as berries for birds, butterflies, toads, lizards and other critters, cover to shelter wildlife, nesting places, and a water source like a birdbath or creek.
Accepting the certification plaque were former president of the Alki Community Council Tony Fragada, Seattle City Council member and former Alki Community Council member Tom Rassmussen, Seattle Parks Senior Gardener Phil Renfro, Dolly Vinal and Mary Quackenbush of the Habitat Project.
Vinal and Quackenbush said they would like see the project expand into other West Seattle neighborhoods.
It's hard to get started," said Fragada, who attended with his father, Remigio, 90. "Just to get the first few houses going is really tough. But once it gets going people really like it. They enjoy the natural wildlife in their yards and all the birds it attracts. attracts."
Alki is the first community in the Seattle metropolitan area to become a certified wildlife habitat area, the fifth community in Washington State and the 31st in the nation.
Also featured at the event were educational displays and community resources including the Washington Native Plant Society, the Seattle Audubon Society, and bluegrass musicians The Tallboys.
Seattle EPA Hearing and Rally a Huge Success
May 22, 2009
On Thursday, May 21st, a crowd estimated at 2,000 people gathered on Seattle's waterfront to show their support for action to reduce global warming pollution. Ranger Rick and National Wildlife Federation's Western Regional Center staff joined business, faith, student, and environmental leaders to show our support for strong action on climate change.
The rally coincided with an Environmental Protection Agency public hearing in Seattle (one of only two in the country) on their recent proposed finding that global warming pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. The "endangerment" finding is the first step toward regulating global warming pollution from coal plants, cars and other major polluters. The response to the hearing was overwhelming with every minute of the all-day hearing filled by over 180 testifiers. Patty Glick, Senior Global Warming Specialist, and Mark Heckert and Mark Quinn of Washington Wildlife Federation, provided powerful testimony.
Governor Chris Gregoire reinforced this sense of momentum on climate change by signing an Executive Order that took important strides in reducing emissions from our lone coal plant, increasing transportation choices, and maintaining Washington’s seat at the table in regional and national discussions on capping climate pollution. The Executive Order, combined with her testimony at the EPA hearing, sent a strong message. Gregoire let it be known that climate change issues are now and will remain a priority for state enforcement.
The energy at the rally was remarkable, and we succeeded in sending a positive message to the EPA and the Obama administration in letting them know that we all applaud this historic step and want it to lead to even stronger action on climate change. Thanks to all of you who were able to come show your support and for helping lead our region and our nation into a new energy economy. ,/P>
Read news hits from Thursday's activities here.
TAKE ACTION! Submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency, urging them to move forward with this declaration and the regulations necessary to move us toward a clean energy future. |
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