Dr. Rachel Carson is often heralded as the woman who inspired the modern conservation movement. Her book Silent Spring, published in 1962, serves as the genesis of half a century of environmental activism. A prominent wildlife biologist, her writings alerted Americans to the connection between the declining bird populations and the prevalence of the pesticide DDT. As a scientist and writer, Dr. Carson brought to light the incredible harm human-made chemicals wreaked on wildlife.

In publishing and disseminating her findings, Dr. Carson faced heavy backlash. Other scientists, chemical companies, and her own colleagues fought to suppress her research ー not least because she was a woman. In the 1950s and 60s, when societal expectations for women afforded few career options outside of the home, she stood out as an outspoken female scientist and wildlife activist. Her work ultimately paved the way for conservationists to push for strong environmental regulations, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Dr. Carson’s life and work are a testament to the lives and work of hundreds of women who came before her, and whose legacy is carried through the lives and work of hundreds of women today. Women – particularly indigenous women and women of color – have been leaders in the American conservation movement from its inception to its modern existence.

Twentieth Century Heroes

From Margaret “Mardy” Murie, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her writing, work, and instrumental role in the passage of the Wilderness Act; to Winona LaDuke, prominent climate activist and former Green Party vice presidential candidate; the actions of women in the twentieth century brought global attention to issues of wildlife and habitat conservation, climate change, water quality, and many other major environmental issues.

Scientists like Dr. Dian Fossey, primatologist and conservationist whose research shaped modern-day primate studies, and Dr. Margaret Hiza Redsteer, research scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey whose work combines traditional and conventional science practices to address water scarcity issues, showed men and women around the country that it was possible to defy the gendered expectations of their times. While, even now, academia remains a “boys’ club” these women made inroads for women in the sciences and inspired young girls across the country to pursue science in the field and in the lab.

Where Science Meets Activism

In the 2000s and 2010s, environmental and conservation science have become increasingly intertwined with environmental justice and conservation activism. For example, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician and professor, tested the water quality and found elevated levels of lead in Flint, Michigan; but just identifying the problem wasn’t enough. Dr. Hanna-Attisha worked with the community to raise the profile of the crisis and to call for action to address the contamination.

As the effects of climate change have grown increasingly pronounced, and the need to address it increasingly urgent, many women stand at the intersection of climate science and climate action, using their expertise to push for global climate action in policy and practice. The effects of climate change and pollution are often felt disproportionately among women and communities of color. Karen Diver, one of two tribal representatives who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Climate Resilience, worked to expand awareness of climate change effects on Native American communities and call for greater response from the federal government to promote equality in this issue.  

Our Future Leaders

This decade has seen unprecedented youth environmental activism. In 2019, students are organizing across the globe to demand action on climate change, inspired by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg’s protests on the steps of the Swedish Parliament. Her American counterpart, 13-year-old Alexandra Villasenor, is an outspoken organizer of student actions across the country.

Mari Copeny – nicknamed “Little Miss Flint” – has been working since the age of 8 to educate the public about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan and to call for action to solve the crisis. She raised over $10,000 in two weeks to help local students in need get back to school and served as the youngest Women’s March Youth Ambassador, National Youth Ambassador for the Climate March, and Youth Ambassador for Equality for Her – all before her twelfth birthday.

In addition to environmental activism, young women are making strides in science to tackle the greatest environmental challenges. Seventh grader Anna Du from Massachusetts was selected as a finalist in the highly competitive Broadcom MASTERS competition for her creation of a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) to identify plastics on the ocean floor. Her advances in science, technology, engineering and mechanics (STEM) continue to promote girls’ entry into the field.

Together, these young women have come to represent a new era of environmental activism and justice – and have brought the newest generation of women into the spotlight. Standing on the shoulders of the giants before them, they have been able to have a massive social impact despite – or perhaps because of – their youth. We can look to them for the future of environmental justice movements.

Five Women Conservationists To Honor on International Women’s Day

Women’s Initiatives at NWF

National Wildlife Federation strives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all our work. Among our wildlife-focused initiatives are intersections with women’s empowerment projects, including the following:

Artemis

Now more than ever, women hunters and anglers play a crucial role in driving conservation efforts. Named for the Greek goddess, Artemis is a group of bold, impassioned sportswomen who are out to change the face of conservation by engaging in every facet of the sporting conservation life. Artemis works diligently for the protection of America’s 640 million acres of public lands and the wildlife that rely on them. Moreover, the program aims to build leadership among sportswomen while redefining  what it means to be a woman in conservation. Learn more >

Women in Conservation Leadership

The National Wildlife Federation’s Women in Conservation Leadership Program develops, empowers and champions women leaders within the environmental community.  Women in Conservation Leadership provides skill building, training and networking opportunities to bolster and support women in the environmental field. The Program does this by acknowledging female-specific barriers and by equipping women with networking opportunities, coaching, and guidance to cultivate success in their personal and professional lives. WCL supports women in all stages of their career and at every level of leadership. Read More >

Education Initiatives

National Wildlife Federation has a long history in environment-based education, providing learning opportunities around the diverse needs of wildlife and habitats in a changing environmental, social and economic environment. Project-based learning closes the gaps in science education for all students, specifically girls and under-served populations. Our programs are rooted in research, and research consistently shows students taught using project- and place-based learning show:

• enhanced student performance
• increased student motivation and engagement
• improved teacher/student interaction
• Increased development of specific 21st Century Learning skills: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

Learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s education programs and campaigns.

Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey

The National Wildlife Federation led the effort to gather wintering counts of bald eagles from 1979 to 1992. The U.S. Geological Survey took over the survey in 1992, which it coordinates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Volunteers are conducting this year’s count from January 2 to January 16, with target dates for January 11 and 12.

“Tracking eagle populations, their recovery over the past several decades and increases today has become a joint example of collaborative conservation and coordination across the public sector, the private sector and thousands of committed individuals,” said Kevin Coyle, vice president for education for the National Wildlife Federation.

The government shutdown has affected the U.S. Geological Survey’s Snake River Field Office, which coordinates the survey, but that isn’t preventing the volunteers from collecting the data.

Bald Eagle Conservation History

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates a high of 10,000 nesting pairs when bald eagles were adopted as our national symbol in 1782. By the late 1930s, their populations were on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss, illegal killing, and pesticides. Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940, their first federal protection.

This temporarily stabilized populations but by 1963, only 417 nesting pairs remained following the widespread use the pesticide DDT after World War II. DDT weakens bald eagle egg shells. Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring” educated the nation about the dangers of pesticides like DDT and the new Environmental Protection Agency banned DDT in 1972.

Bald eagles appeared on the original list under the 1967 Endangered Species Preservation Act and continued under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The population climbed to 1,188 breeding pairs by 1981 and 4,500 in 1995, when bald eagles where upgraded to threatened throughout the lower 48, as they had been in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington since 1978. They were removed from the endangered species list in 2007 with an estimated population of 9,789 breeding pairs.

Reducing Lead Poisoning in Bald Eagles

Bald eagles have recovered but they still face threats from mercury and heavy metals like lead. Lead shot and ammunition fragments found in game carcasses can poison scavenging eagles. The University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center estimates that in the past quarter century, more than 500 eagles it has received have either died from or had to be euthanized due to lead poisoning.

Many hunters are switching to lead-free ammunition to reduce their impact on bald eagles, including copper bullets and steel shot. The National Wildlife Federation’s Minnesota affiliate, Minnesota Conservation Federation, recently advanced a policy resolution calling for a collaborative state-based strategy to reduce lead impacts to wildlife, as well as public education to encourage hunters to use lead alternatives. The National Wildlife Federation also encourages hunters and anglers to use alternatives to lead shot and sinkers.

“As someone who hunts on public lands, I see it as my responsibility to conserve wildlife and leave our public lands better than I found them,” said Aaron Kindle, senior manager of western sporting campaigns for the National Wildlife Federation. “One important way I can do that is by hunting lead-free so that these landscapes and non-target wildlife are not poisoned from my activities.”

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Many states also list bald eagles as a species of greatest conservation need under their state wildlife action plans. These lists identify species that require additional conservation actions to keep them off threatened and endangered status. However, these plans often have very little funding for implementation. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, introduced in each of the past two legislative terms but not yet passed, would provide funding to states for these plans. The National Wildlife Federation is encouraging Congress to reintroduce and pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

Bald eagles have had a tremendous journey from the brink of extinction to a recovered and growing population. To keep their populations healthy and growing for another 40 years and more, citizens can encourage their representatives in Congress to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, switch to non-lead alternatives for hunting and fishing, and participate in citizen-science initiatives like the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey.

Help support our work for wildlife in the Great Lakes

This 4^th of July, let’s celebrate four incredible success stories that highlight species we’ve brought back from the brink of extinction—and a glimpse of what’s possible when we band together in support of wildlife.

Bald Eagle

The bald eagle may be considered the most ubiquitous example of a species success story and paints an inspiring picture of human potential. In the 1950s and ’60s, Americans recognized that the pesticide DDT was devastating eagle populations and acted to ban its use. This, combined with Endangered Species Act habitat protection and public concern, has allowed eagles to once again fly freely from sea to shining sea. Today, the eagle remains a symbol of success and a warning of what we could lose if we neglect species in need.

Canada Lynx

In the 19th century, commercial trapping put heavy pressure on the Canada lynx. Now, the cat’s survival in the U.S. is primarily jeopardized by habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Most suitable lynx habitat in the West is on public land. Some timber practices can remove the mature forest that the lynx needs for denning and rearing young. These activities can also disrupt lynx travel patterns, as the cats prefer tree cover. Roads threaten the lynx by fragmenting its habitat, isolating lynx populations, and exposing them to predators. 

Collectively known as the Staying Connected Initiative, National Wildlife Federation and its partners are working to conserve key linkage areas that are critical for lynx, bobcat, bear, moose, and other far-ranging mammals to migrate as their habitats change in response to climate change. By maintaining existing links in the landscape and preventing further habitat fragmentation within the linkage areas, NWF is working to ensure that wildlife have the ability to move where, when, and as far as needed.

Earlier this year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a scientific review of the Canada lynx in the contiguous United States. The review concludes that the Canada lynx may no longer warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act and should be considered for delisting due to recovery. This recommendation is the result of an extensive review of the best available scientific information and almost 20 years of working in partnership with state, federal, tribal, industry and other land managers on the conservation of this species. 

Eastern Brook Trout

Over the last 100 years, Eastern brook trout have experienced extensive declines due to overharvesting, sedimentation, acid rain, exotic species introductions, and climate change. However, as interest in native species conservation increased, so did our efforts to restore this polka-dotted fish. Tactics that have been used to restore brook trout populations and ensure anglers across the country get to enjoy this species for generations to come include: re-introduction, catch-and-release fishing regulations, stream channel reconfiguration, re-vegetation and fencing, acid remediation, removal of dispersal barriers, and removal of exotic species.

American Alligator

American alligator populations reached all-time lows in the 1950s, primarily due to market-hunting and habitat loss. It was placed on the endangered species list in 1967 and in 1987 the alligator was pronounced fully recovered, making it one of the first endangered species success stories.

The American alligator is an important keystone species of the Southeast. Alligators use their tails to dig burrows in mud for nesting and to keep warm. When an alligator abandons a burrow, the hole left behind fills with freshwater and is utilized by other species for breeding and drinking. If alligators are removed from their native ecosystem, it would affect countless other species.

How you can help

For all these inspiring success stories there are many more species that didn’t make it: the passenger pigeon, the sea mink, the dusky seaside sparrow, and over 150 more, are species we will never again see in the wild. Animals like swift foxes, northern leopard frogs, cerulean warblers and other migratory songbirds are all declining at alarming rates and if we don’t act soon we risk losing them forever.

Now more than ever, we need to invest in conservation. Help us by urging your members of Congress to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act before we are forced to add any more names to the endangered species list.

Tell your representative to cosponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife today!

The group toured the rehabilitated bald eagle exhibit, directly across from the bison exhibit – perhaps America’s most iconic wildlife species, and two of its greatest successes in saving species from extinction. After the short tour, the participants sat down for a round table discussion about the legislation.

“More than a third of species are at risk of extinction right now, so we have a crisis,” said Mike Shriberg, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Office. “This bill is the bold action we need to begin to reverse this decline.”

“The legislation takes $1.3 billion, annually, of existing revenue in oil and gas royalties,” said Dingell, “and it gives it to the states so that they can implement their state Wildlife Action Plans.”

Each state has an existing Wildlife Action Plan which lists its species of greatest conservation need, and specific steps it plans to take to conserve and recover those species. In Michigan, this includes animals like bald eagles, common loons, moose, sturgeon, and monarch butterflies which, Dingell noted, have declined by 90% in the past 20 years.

“Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan is really about proactive conservation to keep species off the (endangered) list, but it also allows for some reactive conservation,” said Amy DeRosier, Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “These plans are really developed and ready to hit the road running.”

After a round of introductions from each participant, much of the discussion turned to how the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act can leverage sportsmen’s dollars to improve both game and nongame habitat.

“The sporting community – at least so far as I can speak for them – is really enthusiastic about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. When we look at all the different interrelationships between game and sportfish species and nongame wildlife, you know we don’t manage habitats in silos and they aren’t compartmentalized spaces. These are places that are being used and utilized by both game and nongame species,” said Dan Eichinger, executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

“Historically, conservation funding – at least in the state of Michigan and this is generally true across the country – has been born primarily by the hunting and fishing community through the excise taxes on our sporting arms and equipment through (the Pittman-Robertson Act) and (the Dingell-Johnson Act), but also through our hunting and fishing licenses,” Eichinger continued.

“More hunters are aware, but sometimes they’re not, about how much conservation is driven by the investments they make,” said Brent Rudolph, conservation policy director for the Ruffed Grouse Society. “But there’s still far more work that needs to be done, which is testified by the fact that we have these Wildlife Action Plans.”

Michigan has used the limited funding it’s had for its Wildlife Action Plan to work with partner agencies and organizations to recover species including ospreys and the Kirtland’s warbler.

The Detroit Zoo, for example, worked with the DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on numerous bird projects through the years, according to Dr. Paul Buzzard, field conservation officer for the Detroit Zoo. “We were involved with the reintroduction of osprey to southern Michigan and we still work with that species on some monitoring and banding efforts. We also work on the piping plover recovery, which is a federally endangered species.”

“We have a demonstrated success of working with rare species, and I’ll use the Kirtland’s warbler as an example,” said Dan Kennedy, the DNR’s endangered species coordinator. “We’ve been able to take that species from the brink of extinction, to now they’re considering de-listing that species.”

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act received an introductory hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources – Public Lands Subcommittee on February 15. While no vote was held on the bill that day, the roundtable participants were optimistic about the opportunity provided by the legislation.

“This is a really nice way to extend the purchasing power of our sporting license dollars and be able to bring in a new funding source to deal with what we all acknowledge is a huge backlog of need,” said Eichinger.

“The state Wildlife Action Plans are exciting; they’re there, they’re ready to go, and with the configuration of resources this way, it’s going to have major impacts on species across the board,” said Shriberg.

Encourage Your Member of Congress to Co-Sponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Completing your bracket is easy, but make sure you get it in before submissions close on March 15th! We’ll be announcing the winner on March 16 to close out our celebration!

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Learn more about National Wildlife Week

RIVER OTTER

Ensuring that people and wildlife have the clean, safe water they need is a huge challenge, but it’s one that needs to be met – all life on earth, especially river otters, are dependent on it. Colleges and universities are uniquely suited to help meet that challenge. The National Wildlife Federation’s EcoLeaders program gives students new tools to help reduce their campus’ water footprint.

Gardeners can get into the action as well. Learn more about sustainable water practices and how to certify your garden for wildlife!

GREEN SEA TURTLE

Adult green sea turtles are herbivores, who live mostly on seagrasses and algae. That’s not true of all sea turtle species, though. In fact, the massive leatherback sea turtle‘s favorite snack is jellyfish, but they have been known to swallow plastic bags by mistake. Polluted oceans don’t just look bad – they endanger sea life. College students who are part of the EcoLeaders program can launch a recycling campaign on campus to keep plastics and other trash out of our rivers and oceans. Sea turtles everywhere will appreciate it – all six species native to North America have been listed as either vulnerable or endangered! Get involved this year with these 5 ways to celebrate Endangered Species Day on May 19, 2017.

BALD EAGLE

The bald eagle has been one of conservation’s greatest success stories, which means that today their population is quite healthy. So seeing one in the wild is as simple as packing up the tent and heading for one of these spots, where you can camp to see bald eagles. But don’t forget to take the pledge to camp before you go.

However, pesticides remain a threat to the recovery of the nation’s endangered plants and some predatory species, such as the bald eagle. Going chemical-free ensures that your garden is a healthy, safe place for wildlife. Learn how to certify a habitat project at your school. Or, you can take a more active approach. Green STEM activities like engineering, can help create prosthetic beaks for bald eagles!

ARCTIC FOX

Help the arctic fox by confronting climate change head-on. EcoLeaders, you can help people unplug by launching campus energy campaigns dedicated to minimizing your school’s carbon footprint.

Younger students, you can get involved, too! Make an impact by choosing the climate change pathway when you register your school to be an Eco-School. And these lesson plans can teach K-8 students about life in the cold (and many other places).

And don’t forget to take the Cool School Challenge, which engages students and teachers with practical strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions!

But don’t forget to vote before rolling up your sleeves and getting to work!

RIVER OTTER

Some may dream of life by the sea, but for river otters it’s freshwater or bust. These charismatic mammals depend on clean, freshwater ecosystems for their homes and for their food, which is why the National Wildlife Federation fights to protect water resources across the country. In addition to our work protecting watersheds and wetlands, both of which serve as river otter habitat, NWF has also built coalitions around the country dedicated to clean water. These programs stretch from the Mississippi River delta to the Great Lakes, with plenty of stops in between.

ATLANTIC PUFFIN

Atlantic puffins spend most of their year alone on the open ocean, but come breeding season they return en masse to their favorite rocky sea cliffs on the northeastern coast of Canada and the United States. In addition to being a home for their plentiful permanent residents, these cliffs, and other coastal habitats like them, play host to migrating and seasonal populations every year, which is why it’s so important to keep them healthy. NWF has been working tirelessly with communities in the northeast to rebuild and restore the coastal dunes on which so many species depend.

FLORIDA PANTHER

The Florida panther is a force to be reckoned with. Though they once roamed through all of the Gulf states, today the only wild, breeding populations of Florida panthers live in the Everglades. The National Wildlife Federation works with lawmakers, on the ground partners, and our affiliate, the Florida Wildlife Federation, to ensure that the Everglades remain protected. The survival of the Florida panther, and many other unique species, depends on it.

GREEN SEA TURTLE

A common site along the Gulf of Mexico coast during breeding season, the green sea turtle is among the species directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. Since that time the National Wildlife Federation has made Gulf restoration a priority. The Federation is dedicated to the responsible restoration of this critical ecosystem. Nearly seven years has passed since the oil spill, but the Gulf still needs help, so the Federation remains involved on the ground and on the Hill, working to restore the ecosystem, help wildlife recover, and reform drilling policy.

BALD EAGLE

The bald eagle’s strong showing in this tournament is no surprise – these majestic birds are known for putting up one heck of a fight. When Europeans arrived in what is now the United States, there was an estimated population of about 100,000 bald eagles south of present-day Canada. By 1963 there were only 417 nesting pairs left in the 48 contiguous states. In 1973 the bald eagle was offered new protections under the Endangered Species Act, which eventually lead to one of the most successful recoveries in the Act’s history. This landmark piece of legislation has been a cornerstone of conservation in this country, and has aided the recovery of several of our nation’s most iconic species. Learn more about how the National Wildlife Federation works to ensure strengthened protections for all endangered or threatened native wildlife.

PRAIRIE DOG

Home on the range, indeed. Black-tailed prairie dogs share their habitat with the farms in America’s heartland. Unfortunately, it seems farms and prairie dog colonies (or “towns”) don’t mix well, a reality that has pushed the prairie dog’s range to 5% of what it once was. The National Wildlife Federation’s Agriculture team is working to change how grassland farmers and wildlife interact. The team works with lawmakers to ensure that the Farm Bill benefits wildlife and farmers. They also hold the biennial America’s Grasslands Conference, where farmers, researchers, and policy experts meet to discuss new solutions and techniques for wildlife-friendly farming.

CANADA LYNX

Barely larger than a house cat, these distinctive felines are perfectly adapted for life in the cold, right down to their large snowshoe-like paws. And though they tend to shy away from human contact, the Canada lynx will follow their favorite food (the snow hare) anywhere. Over the past few years there has been an exciting increase in lynx sightings in the lower 48, including a few in Vermont. Vermont is one of several states that has invested, or begun to invest, in wildlife corridors. NWF is helping to build these pathways, constructed specifically for animals, help reduce the road mortality rate of North American wildlife (and maybe a few insurance rates, as well). This increased mobility, in turn, can lead to greater range and a deeper gene pool for the species who no longer have to risk life and limb just to get to the other side.

ARCTIC FOX

These foxes may be small, but they’re among the very toughest of our competitors. Their coats can keep them warm even when temperatures drop to -40*F! However, there is concern about the potentially outsize impact climate change will have on species like the arctic fox. The National Wildlife Federation is dedicated to confronting climate change. The Federation has identified several key fronts in the fight to stop climate change in its tracks. Learn more about them, and how you can contribute, by exploring our site.

But before you go – don’t forget to vote! Only four species can move on to the next round, so every click counts.

Beasts of the Northeast

GREAT HORNED OWL
A solitary bird that lives in forests, canyons, and clearings, the great horned owl is found throughout the continental US and up into Alaska. Their geographic range extends southward into Mexico and Central and South America.

Learn more about the work our Mid-Atlantic Regional Center does to support wildlife >>

RIVER OTTER
River otters can thrive in any fresh water habitat, from ponds and marshes to lakes and rivers, as long as the habitat provides adequate food. Their dens are abandoned burrows or empty hollows and have entrances underwater.

Learn more about the work our Great Lakes Regional Center does to support wetlands >>

MALLARD
Mallards are among the most recognizable birds in the world. They can be found throughout the world, including all of the continental United States and Hawaii. Look for them near ponds and freshwater wetlands.

Learn more about the work our Great Lakes Regional Center does to support wildlife >>

ATLANTIC PUFFIN
The Atlantic puffin is a sea bird through and through. Though they nest on the same on rocky sea cliffs each year to breed, puffins spend the rest of their time on the open ocean, far from land.

Learn more about the work our Northeast Regional Center does to support coastal habitat >>

It’s a Southern Thing

MONARCH
Monarch butterflies are migratory animals. In the spring, summer, and early fall they can be found wherever there are milkweeds for them to lay their eggs. Monarchs cannot survive freezing temperatures, so they winter in the cool, high mountains of central Mexico and woodlands in central and southern California.

Learn more about the work our South Central Regional Center does to support wildlife >>

FLORIDA PANTHER
Florida panthers live in wetlands, swamps, upland forests, and stands of saw palmetto. The historic range of the Florida panther extended throughout the Gulf Coast states, from Florida to Louisiana and up to Arkansas. Today, there are less than 100 Florida panthers left in the wild. They are found in southern Florida swamplands, like the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. The species is so critically endangered that it is vulnerable to just about every major threat – from habitat loss to cars and feline diseases.

Learn more about the work our South Central Regional Center does to support habitat >>

BLACK BEAR
The American black bear’s range covers most of the North American continent. They are found in Alaska, much of Canada and the United States, and extend as far south as northern Mexico. They inhabit both coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as open alpine habitats. They can live just about anywhere they can find food, but most frequently where there are trees.

Learn more about the work our Mid-Atlantic Regional Center does to support wildlife >>

GREEN SEA TURTLE
Green sea turtles have ocean water habitats and separate nesting habitats. Once a green sea turtle hatches and heads into ocean waters they rarely return to land. Instead, they feed on off-shore plant blooms around islands and beaches in warm tropical and subtropical ocean waters.

Green sea turtles will travel long distances, even across oceans, to return to their preferred breeding site. In the nesting season, females emerge onto the warm beaches to lay their eggs before returning to the sea until the next breeding season.

Learn more about the ways our South Central Regional Center supports habitat restoration >>

Home on the Range

MOUNTAIN LION
Mountain lions inhabit a wide range of ecosystems, making their home anywhere there is shelter and prey, including mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands. They are territorial and have naturally low population densities, which means the species requires large swaths of wilderness habitat to thrive. The mountain lion’s range spreads all across the Americas, from the Canadian Yukon to The Strait of Magellan, the greatest of range any extant mammal in the Americas.

Learn more about the work our California Regional Center does to support wildlife >>

BALD EAGLE
Bald eagles really like lakes. During the summer, they can be seen soaring above lakes and in the nearby trees. They prefer bodies of water with lots of fish and surrounding forests. In the winter, bald eagles can be found near hunting along coastlines, reservoirs, and rivers. Most Americans will only see bald eagle during their winter migration, when they can be found near a variety of water habitats.

Learn more about the work that our Northern Rockies, Prairies and Pacific Regional Center does to support this ecosystem >>

PRAIRIE DOG
Black-tailed prairie dogs are highly social animals native to the Great Plains. These small rodents live in massive underground colonies called towns. Though they were once extremely populous, their numbers have decreased significantly because of habitat destruction and human intervention.

Learn more about the work our regional office does to support wildlife in the prairies >>

BIGHORN SHEEP
Bighorn sheep live in the western mountainous regions of North America, ranging all the way from southern Canada to Mexico. Their steep mountainous habitat, with ledges sometimes only 2” wide, provide cover from predators such as bears, golden eagles, mountain lions, and Canada lynx. Most populations move seasonally – they prefer larger upland areas in the summer and concentrate in sheltered valleys during the winter.

Learn more about the work our Rocky Mountains Regional Center does to preserve habitat >>

You CAN Handle the Chill

ORCA
Found in every ocean on the planet, orcas are likely the most widely distributed mammal in the world, after humans. There are three distinct types of orca: transient, resident, and offshore. Though they are not officially considered different subspecies, all three types of orca are genetically distinct and do not interbreed or mingle. Residents live close to shore in large pods of about 10-20 and feed primarily on fish. Offshore orcas are similar to residents, but are distinguished by their smaller overall size and rounded, nicked fins. Transient orcas live in smaller groups of about 3-7 and spend their lives out at sea where they prey on seals, sea lions and other dolphins (which, strangely, are the same animals that resident orcas like to swim and play with).

Learn more about the work our regional center does in the Pacific Northwest >>

CANADA LYNX
The great grey ghost of the north, these elusive cats used to be (slightly) more common in the United States than they are today. Although they were never abundant, their historical range did include most northern states from the Rockies to New England. Today, while tens of thousands of lynx remain in Canada and Alaska, loss of habitat and human activity limit their presence in the continental US. However, in the past few years there have been some signs of population recovery in northeastern states.

Learn more about how our Northeast Regional Center protects vulnerable wildlife >>

POLAR BEAR
Though they will spend time on land, polar bears depend on sea ice, where they can hunt for their food. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and they will travel long distances between shore and the sea ice, if necessary. However, these long swims can be perilous for both cubs and adult bears. The permanent, multi-year ice that doesn’t melt seasonally is critically important to their survival, though it is increasingly rare because of climate change.

Learn more about how our Northern Rockies, Prairies and Pacific Regional Center protects wildlife >>

ARCTIC FOX
These small omnivores have quite a large range. They call the entire arctic tundra home, which means the arctic fox is quite literally sitting on top of the world. Their small, compact bodies are uniquely adapted to live in a frigid climate. They can even use their large tails as cover to keep them warm when things get especially chilly.

Learn more about how our Northeast Regional Center helps preserve habitat >>

Now that you’ve got your sea legs, vote each day for your favorites! Round 3 opens on Saturday, March 11th.

Round 1, 32 competitors: February 27th – March 6th
Round 2, 16 competitors: March 7th – March 10th
Round 3, 8 competitors: March 11th – March 12th
Round 4, 4 competitors: March 13th – March 14th
Championship Round: March 15th – March 16th
Winner Announced: March 17th

It’s time to get going on Round 1! These 32 North American native species aren’t just fierce competitors, they’re also available for adoption! Symbolic adoption, that is. Symbolic adoptions support the National Wildlife Federation’s work conserving and protecting North American wildlife, while helping you learn more about your favorite animal (and as you’ll see below, some of them come with very cute stuffed animal replicas). Read on for the Round 1 match-ups and click through the photos to symbolically adopt one of our Final Fur competitors!

Beasts of the Northeast

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HUMPBACK WHALE  vs  GREAT HORNED OWL

The humpback whale packs a mighty punch, but don’t count the great horned owl out just yet. The soft feathers on these birds give them the ability to sneak up silently on their prey, giving the owl a much-needed advantage against his massive opponent.

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RIVER OTTER  vs  NORTHERN CARDINAL

Waves and sky face off again in this match up. The river otter might look friendly, but her agility and speed will help her keep up with her flighty, brightly colored competitor.

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MALLARD  vs  COMMON OCTOPUS

It’s wings against arms in this battle of the water beasts. The mallard may have flight on his side, but don’t underestimate the disorienting power of an inky cloud!

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BAT  vs  ATLANTIC PUFFIN

The competition heads to the sky as everyone’s favorite airborne mammal takes on the cheerful sea parrot. Choose sides as these two battle for supremacy in the air.

It’s a Southern Thing

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MONARCH BUTTERFLY  vs  BROWN PELICAN

Float like a butterfly…or soar like a pelican? These two warm weather-loving creatures are taking this match-up to the skies.

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WESTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE  vs  FLORIDA PANTHER

Reptiles or mammals? Baseball or hockey? Desert or swampland? These two southerners don’t agree on much, which makes for an excellent match up. When the dust from Round 1 settles, will we be hearing a victory rattle? Or a purr of contentment?

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NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO  vs  BLACK BEAR

With a series of bony plates guarding his back, the nine-banded armadillo is ready to put on a solid defense against his formidable, fuzzy opponent: the black bear. But will a strong defense be enough to keep the bear at bay? Or will larger paws prevail?

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GREEN SEA TURTLE  vs  BARKING TREE FROG

From the depths of the sea to the tops of the trees, this match up has a little bit of something for everyone. Only you can decide if the barking tree frog will be able to hop over the competition or if the green sea turtle will swim on to victory.

Home on the Range

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MOUNTAIN LION  vs  DESERT TORTOISE

The tortoise might have been able to beat the hare, but will he be able to best the stealthy mountain lion? Expect the desert tortoise to dig in and stand his ground against his feline foe.

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BISON  vs  BALD EAGLE

It’s the battle of American icons! In May 2016, the bison was named national mammal of the United States, and the bald eagle has been the national symbol since 1782. Expect this patriotic match up to be one for the ages.

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PRONGHORN  vs  PRAIRIE DOG

Both highly social mammals native to the Great Plains, the pronghorn and the prairie dog each have a large extended family in their corner. This face-off is sure to be quick-moving and well attended.

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AMERICAN PIKA  vs  BIGHORN SHEEP

The pika may be small, but that doesn’t give her much of an advantage against her opponent on the rocky, narrow ledges both of these animals favor. The bighorn sheep is able to balance on shelves as small as 2″ across! This high-altitude battle is sure to be anything but boring.

You CAN Handle the Chill

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MOUNTAIN GOAT  vs  ORCA

The hyper-intelligent orca faces off against the nimble mountain goat. Will echolocation be able to help the “sea wolf” locate his opponent? Or will the mountain goat’s camouflage and climbing abilities lift him to Round 2?

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WALRUS  vs  CANADA LYNX

The elusive Canada lynx will need to use all her wiles when going up against the walrus and his powerful tusks. Don’t count this small cat out yet, though. The Canada lynx has been expanding her range lately, recently spotted as far south as Vermont, so it’s not much of a stretch to think she might just stake her claim to victory, as well.

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POLAR BEAR  vs  MOOSE

A true battle of the titans. Here the largest land carnivore on earth is facing off against the largest member of the deer family (and at over 1000 lbs, that’s a lot of deer). These massive northern mainstays virtually guarantee an earth-shaking competition.

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HARP SEAL  vs  ARCTIC FOX

Arguably our cutest match up, the harp seal has size on his side (a full grown seal can weigh 600 lbs!) but the arctic fox is quick and cunning. Expect these winter warriors to be well matched in their battle.

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, it’s time to get this party started! The road to the Final Fur opens on Monday, February 27th, don’t forget to vote for your favorites!

The spill seeped into every facet of the ecosystem, attacking animals from both the inside and out. Though it was initially thought that the oil spill would only have a short term impact on the ecosystem, its effects continue to be felt to this day.

As Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation puts it, “The impacts of oil spills continue long after the TV cameras have gone home. It is still possible to find oil on the shores of Prince William Sound that is nearly as toxic as it was a quarter-century ago.”

All of this raises the question of just how far the oily tide has receded. The recovery effort has produced some decidedly mixed results among some of North America’s most iconic creatures:

1. Pacific Herring

Hallmark of the fishing industry, the herring of Prince William Sound remain badly damaged by the spill. In 1993 the population collapsed, and it has not recovered since. Even the reason for their low numbers remains badly understood, and it’s not certain whether the herring will ever rebound.

2. Killer Whales

Two pods of killer whale call Prince William Sound home. Both were hit hard by Exxon Valdez, and many mature orcas died in the following years. Slow to reproduce under normal circumstances, these losses have been hard to replace. One population that dwells in the Sound through the year has been slowly growing in number. Sadly the other more mobile pod still shows no signs of recovering.

3. Bald Eagles

One of the major successes thus far has been the bald eagle. In spite of their losses, by 1995 the eagle’s population had rebounded to pre spill levels.

4. Harbor Seals

The harbor seals of Prince William Sound had been struggling with declining prey before Exxon Valdez, but the resident population has since recovered. By 2005 the seal’s numbers were growing again, and the species is considered on the mend.

5. Sea Otters

The most recently recovered species, the numbers and quality of life for sea otters in the Sound finally returned to normal within the past year. In addition to the dangers of swimming through the oil, the sea otters suffered internal damage when they consumed oil tainted clams and other prey. Fortunately oil levels in these species dropped to a “safer” level for the otters.

Four years after Deepwater Horizon and 25 years after Exxon Valdez, it is time we commemorate these disasters by taking a step away from oil and other fossil fuels. We need to invest in a cleaner, greener future for energy if we want to ever break this cycle of ecological destruction and cleanup.

Take action and ensure that animal habitat damaged by oil spills is restored!