Over the last 20 years, NWF has supported a network of on-the-ground partners who are working to create more resilient places to live for people and wildlife. For the last six years, NWF, working with its close partner NatureScape Broward, has led the Broward Habitat Connectivity Project with support from the Community Foundation of Broward.
Watch our newest video, documenting how the Broward Habitat Connectivity Project (BHCP) is working to create more climate-resilient communities by planting trees, creating habitat, and expanding green space.
Migratory Birds and Habitat Connectivity
More than 1,000 bird species occur in the United States and U.S. Territories. Some live year-round in Broward County, Florida; others migrate here seasonally, and some stop in on their migratory routes to and from other countries. Of these birds, dozens are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, facing threats such as climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. As migratory birds fly over Broward County they may notice the more than 50,000 new trees or 20 new habitat sites planted by the Broward Habitat Connectivity Project since 2016.
Dozens of partners and local residents came together to create new islands of habitat over the past six years. Volunteers and staff planted native trees and shrubs across Broward County and attended or supported more than 125 public or school-based events and workshops. Community buy-in and environmental stewardship are essential for building climate-resilient communities, and the BCHP has been successful largely in part to the thousands of teachers, students, volunteers, and residents investing in people and wildlife.
Local Residents Lead the Charge
The science is clear, urban canopies keep cities cool when temperatures climb. This is why Broward County Leadership included a goal of 40% tree canopy across the entire urban county in the Broward County Climate Action Plan. Partners of the BCHP knew that this goal would only be successful by building relationships with residents and local leaders in areas with the least number of trees and green space.
Lauderdale Lakes City Commissioner, Beverly Williams, is known as the “Garden Champion of Broward County.” She has earned this title because of her leadership at the Children’s Community Garden, a community-managed space that has been the home base for many BHCP events. Born and raised in Florida with generational roots to the land and growing food locally, Beverly Williams is bringing her environmental leadership to the wider community, connecting with children, parents, and everyday residents.
The Children’s Community Garden has become a community bonding space as Beverly and her team supported residents during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering fresh produce to any resident who wanted it.
In Lauderhill, Mayor Ken Thurston has been an active and engaged collaborator, bringing the BHCP to his residents. He has been an elected official in Lauderhill for 12 years! Mayor Ken Thurston shares in our new video that residents of Lauderhill are leading efforts to address urban heat and tree equity. Mayor Thurston reflected on a notable rise in residents planting trees with a focus on selecting natives and species optimal for climate resilience. This shift, he says, is due to the dedicated staff and volunteers of the BHCP. Thurston and many other local officials in Broward recognized that public engagement and buy-in is crucial for projects aiming to address urban tree canopy.
Environmental Stewardship Fosters Social Resilience
The BHCP showed us that gardens, pocket parks, school habitats, and small areas can be integral building blocks of social infrastructure. When residents feel connected to their local environments, they are more likely to seek out behaviors to help protect their environment.
Such environmental stewardship is one of the most beneficial skills and values we can cultivate in our communities. When combined with quality accessible education, adaptable management, and advocacy, we see positive outcomes such as expanded urban tree canopy and community engagement. In fact, research has shown that environmental stewardship has served as a catalyst for revitalizing communities.
Environmental stewards can foster social resilience as part of disturbance and recovery cycles, and public green spaces can provide place attachments, a collective identity, social cohesion, knowledge exchange, and social networks.
This work has proved that when organizations like National Wildlife Federation connect grant opportunities to community-based organizations, local elected officials, and volunteers, we see positive outcomes in achieving urban tree equity and habitat restoration. To learn more about the Broward Habitat Connectivity Project please watch and share our new video!
For more resources on content relating to community-driven conservation check out the Community Wildlife Habitat program for ways to get involved in your community.
Cats are not inherently villains, of course. They are beloved pets and for thousands of years have been used as working animals to help control rats and mice that are urban and farm pests. When domesticated cats prey on wild birds and other wildlife they are simply following their natural instinct. Ecologically, however, the effect of that predation is anything but natural and has even resulted in the wildlife extinctions. As a species imported by humans around the globe and supported by us in numbers dwarfing that of natural predators, the massive predation by cats on wildlife is an extension of our own negative impact on our environment. It’s up to us to prevent it.
One thing we can all do to help solve this problem is to keep our pet cats indoors. Not only is this better for wildlife, it’s also better for our cats. Outdoor cats face threats from predators, cars and disease and as a result, have much shorter lifespans compared to indoor cats. Keeping your cat indoors is a win-win for both wildlife and cats.
That said, we recognize that keeping your cat indoors can be easier said than done. Speaking from personal experience, turning an outdoor cat into an indoor one can be a challenge, even for naturalists and experienced pet owners like me. I once adopted an outdoor cat that I tried to keep indoors, only to have him start using my bed as a litter box until I let him back outside. Don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself in this situation–again, our goal is not to villainize cats or cat owners–but now that you know the major toll cats take on wildlife, the right thing to do is to make the commitment to do everything you can to keep your cat indoors and also to start off your next kitten as an indoor cat from the beginning.
Here are our tips for keeping your indoor cat happy and healthy.
A Tired Cat is a Happy Cat
Cats are natural athletes and it’s all too easy for an indoor cat to go stir crazy if it can’t work out that excess energy. The good news is there’s no shortage of awesome cat toys that will keep your cat moving. There are toys that look like mice, toys with feathers, battery-powered toys with flashing light and sound, laser pointers, toys that move, toys on strings–everything that you need to help keep your cat pouncing and stalking safely indoors.
Bird Viewing Stations
The reason that domesticated cats kill so many birds and small mammals is that those animals are the natural prey of their ancestor, a small wild cat species found in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe called the wildcat (Felis silvestris). Even well-fed pet cats still retain the wildcat’s natural attraction to small animals. You can indulge that attraction by setting up a bird viewing station inside. Simply install a cat window perch and put up a bird feeder or bath right outside the window. Your pet cat will have hours of viewing pleasure and the wildlife will be safe. An added benefit is that placing feeders and baths close to windows helps reduce bird window strikes, another significant source of bird mortality. (You can order a variety of bird feeders and baths from our catalog, sales of which go directly to support our wildlife conservation programs.)
Let Your Cat Go Hunting
Cats are inherently curious animals. If an indoor cat doesn’t have enough stimulation indoors it’s going to get bored and try to get outside. In addition to toys, you can help your cat exercise its natural hunting instinct by hiding its favorite treats around the house. Freeze treats in ice cubes or use special cat treat puzzles and toys that make your cat work to extract its reward to offer hours of mental stimulation. These are the same enrichment tactics used to keep lions, tigers and other predators in good mental and physical condition in zoos.
Pets in Pairs
Few of us can be home all day to love on our cats, so consider getting a second cat as a companion. Having a buddy to run and play with can go a long way in keeping indoor cats happy and stimulated. There’s no shortage of homeless cats at your local shelter just waiting for someone to take them home.
Use Catnip
Catnip is a plant in the mint family (Nepeta cataria) that contains a natural oil called nepetalactone which has a unique effect on cats. When inhaled, nepetalactone is interpreted by the feline olfactory system as a natural cat pheromone. When cats rub on or chew catnip, it produces a mild natural high that is both harmless and temporary, but that is pleasurable to cats. Not all cats are affected by catnip, and it has no effect on kittens under six months of age, but if your cat does respond to it, it can be one more tool to help keep your indoor cat stimulated and happy. Catnip comes in dried form to fill sachets or special cat toys, as well as in spray form to mist toys or cat beds. You can grow catnip plants in pots in a sunny window for your kitty too. Everything in moderation, right?
Stop Door Dashing
Watch this segment on NatGeo WILD’s Pet Talk for my tips on how to keep your cats from dashing out the door.
Let Your Cat Climb
Wild cats are natural climbers, pursuing prey into the trees and seeking high places when frightened. Your pet cat retains those same climbing instincts. Cat trees are a tried and true way of allowing your cat to exercise its urge to climb, and they come in all shapes and sizes to fit your space and decor. If you’re handy, you can build your own. Take it to the next level by adding “cat shelves” throughout your home to take advantage of vertical space for your feline family members. It can be as simple as a few floating shelves mounted to the wall or more involved “catwalks” that wrap around entire rooms. Either way, cat shelves will allow your kitty to get up high and go places only cats can go.
Go for a Walk
It might sound crazy and be the subject of hilarious YouTube videos, but believe it or not it is possible to train your cat to walk on a leash. If you must let your cat outside, this is the most responsible way to do it. It’s easiest to start training your cat when it’s just a kitten, but even older cats can learn. Start by getting your cat used to wearing a harness for short periods of time indoors, then move on to attaching the leash and rewarding the cat with treats when it walks with you. Never pull on the leash. Once the cat is comfortable with the harness and leash, it’s time to try it outside. Start slowly, with just short trips outside and gradually increase the length of the walks as your cat gets more comfortable. If it’s too much of a challenge, work with a professional animal trainer. Remember, the idea of walking dogs on leashes once seemed weird, but now it’s the standard. We can do the same with cats.
Build a Catio
Another way to give your kitty some fresh air is to install a “catio.” A catio is an enclosed structure that you can install in your yard or on your deck or patio to give your cat some time outside without having to put it on a leash or putting wildlife in danger (or your cat in danger from wildlife). Think of it like of like a cat playpen, or the cat version of an outdoor dog run. You can purchase premade catios or plans, hire a contractor to build one, or just do it yourself.
Spay and Neuter
Always spay and neuter your pet cats. Intact cats can be driven by hormones to try to escape outside to try to find a mate. By spaying and neutering, you eliminate this added stress on your pet cat while at the same time minimizing the allure of the outdoors and eliminating any chance that it could contribute to the unwanted cat population.
Love Your Cat
This last one is simple. You love your cat, and that love can be the most powerful tool you have to keeping it happy. Unlike their wild ancestors, domesticated cats crave human attention. Often the most effective way of keeping your indoor cat happy is to just pay attention to it. Snuggle your cat, pet your cat, and play with your cat every day. You’ll be surprised at how far a little attention from its human can go in ensuring your indoor cat’s wellbeing.
The National Wildlife Federation is teaming up with The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature as an education partner to encourage families to support their local parks and help wildlife!
THE FILM OPENS IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 11.
In this fun-filled sequel, Surly, your favorite mischievous squirrel (voiced by Will Arnett) returns. He and his buddies such as Andie (voiced by Katherine Heigl) band together to stop Oakton City’s mayor from destroying their city park home.
“The National Wildlife Federation is the perfect education partner for this film,” said The Nut Job 2 star Will Arnett. “I am glad to be part of a project that shows how wonderful these sometimes unappreciated animals can be.”
The National Wildlife Federation’s naturalist, David Mizejewski, appeared on several morning news shows with live animals you may find in your local park to talk about the partnership and the importance of protecting habitat for urban wildlife. Check out David and Fiona, a groundhog, on Good Day DC.
Ranger Rick, Surly, and some other colorful characters mingled with the stars of the film and at the World Premiere in Los Angeles to remind moviegoers to celebrate backyard wildlife and protect our parks every day!
Whether you go to a park in the city, the wilderness, or anywhere in between, you can have a great time in the great outdoors. The National Wildlife Federation is also offering online resources to help kids, parents, teachers and wildlife enthusiasts of all ages conserve public lands and connect with nature. Download family fun activities, and learn how you can plant Trees for Wildlife where squirrels like Surly and Andie make their home.
To date, through our Adopt a Wildlife Acre program, we’ve protected over 1.1 million acres of habitat on public lands for bison, bighorn sheep, wolves, grizzly bears, elk and native fisheries. These grazing retirements have helped wolf and grizzly bear populations to recover across the northern Rockies and bighorn sheep and bison to roam freely without livestock conflict.
Watch the video below about an incredibly important area just protected in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, home to the largest herd of bighorn sheep in Idaho.
While we have plenty of important work remaining in the Yellowstone ecosystem, we believe it is more important than ever to expand the program to other areas of the west where wildlife and traditional livestock grazing continue to be at odds.
Adopting Acres for Wildlife in Colorado and Nevada
The official state animal of Colorado, the iconic bighorn has dwindled to less than 8,000 and is under continuous threat of disease. Separation between wild bighorns and their domestic counterparts is the key to security and to their success.
We recently completed a Colorado bighorn sheep assessment that confirms bighorn populations face a high risk of disease: our research documented over 90 federal domestic sheep grazing allotments that overlap with occupied bighorn sheep habitat. We are confident that targeted negotiations with local sheep producers will support substantial recovery and protection of Colorado’s bighorn population over the next decade.
Our vision is to restore bighorn populations in Colorado over the next 10 years by eliminating major risk areas on public lands.
In Nevada, bighorn populations have faced a tumultuous past and with over 80% of the state in public land. We see tremendous opportunity to expand our efforts to not only secure Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep populations, but California bighorn and desert bighorn populations as well. Drought, invasive weeds, fire and expanding domestic livestock operations have put wild sheep populations in a precarious balance. By targeting specific conflict areas, our proven approach will can give Nevada bighorns a fighting chance.
In a time when wildlife is facing increased threats of development, disease and habitat loss, it’s more important than ever to expand our work and increase our efforts. We thank you for your continued support of the National Wildlife Federation’s Adopt a Wildlife Acre program.
Please Adopt a Wildlife Acre TODAY.
1. Vocalizing
The breathtaking vocalizations of bulls during the rut are known as bugles. A bull may bugle to show off for cows, assert dominance, warn others to stay away from his harem (group of cows sharing a mate), or challenge a bull to a fight. The other vocalizations of elk (chirps, barks, grunts) are also worth a listen.
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2. Fighting
A major part of bull elk behavior during the fall rut is fighting. As hormones rage, bulls engage in battles for dominance, and the ladies. The sound of their antlers crashing together is truly incredible.
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3. Vegetation on Antlers
As I researched the rut, I came across several photos of elk with vegetation hanging off their antlers. I was intrigued. Is it because they get their antlers stuck in bushes? As it turns out, the elk actually dig their antlers through bushes and shrubs get this look, on purpose! It’s a way to assert their dominance. Though, it looks a little silly to me.
4. Wallowing in Mud
I found out that bulls not only wallow in mud, but in doing so coat themselves with urine “perfume” to attract cows. I’ve been told this (obviously) makes them smell pretty bad during this time. Whatever works, I suppose!
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5. Raking Trees
Elk will rub their antlers against trees, shrubs and the ground to impress cows or show dominance. Prior to the rut, this behavior is exhibited as bulls shed the drying velvet from their antlers.
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BONUS: Shedding Antlers
I found this video and had to share, even though elk drop their antlers in the spring, not during the rut. Each year bulls grow a larger set than the previous year.
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Deer Rut
Though the elk rut is over for the year, the deer rut is taking place across much of the country. Though deer aren’t as vocal as elk, males can be quite aggressive with each other. In some towns, including Missoula where deer are common, you don’t want to approach a rutting buck as they can be quite aggressive.
Wild Lands for Wildlife
Most elk populations in the United States live on federally managed lands (national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, etc.). Check out the work NWF’s Northern Rockies and Pacific Regional Center is doing to protect wild lands for elk and other wildlife.
I’d like to thank Kit Fischer for adding his expertise to this post.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions related to the polar bear cam. Feel free to ask additional questions in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer them.
Why Do Polar Bears Spar?
You may observe polar bears on their hind legs, pushing each other around. This is known as “sparring” and is commonly mistaken for fighting. It’s actually play fighting, which plays a part in establishing the strongest bears, practicing for hunting and developing a hierarchy.
What Do Polar Bears Eat?
Polar bears are carnivorous (almost exclusively meat eaters). They mainly eat ringed seals, and will also eat other species of seals, walruses, and whale carcasses. Hungry polar bears will search out bird eggs and other food sources, but none of these are plentiful enough to sustain the large body mass and dense populations of polar bears.
How Do Polar Bears Hunt Seals?
Polar bears wait for seals to come to the surface of sea ice to breathe. When the seal nears the surface, the polar bear will bite or grab the seal and pull it onto land to feed.
Another vitally important food source in most areas are seal pups that are born and live in dens in the arctic ice. The polar bear identifies these dens by smell and other markers and pounces though the roof of the den to capture the young seals. In Hudson Bay, the availability of seal pups in the spring is increasingly limited by earlier melting of ice. In the Arctic, polar bears are at the top of the food chain; they eat everything and nothing (but native hunters) eats them.
Why Do They Sleep So Much?
As the polar bears wait for Hudson Bay to freeze over, they rest to conserve energy for hunting. You may see them sleeping or taking a nap in the low shrubs of the tundra. Interestingly, they sleep for about 7 hours at a time, and nap in between.
How Have Polar Bears Adapted to Living in the Cold?
Many of the polar bear’s physical characteristics help maintain body heat and deal with their icy habitat:
- The outer layer of fur is hollow and reflects light, giving the fur a white color. The white fur helps the bear remain camouflaged in icy and snowy habitat.
- The footpads of a polar bears’ paws have a kind of “non-slip” surface allowing them to get traction on slippery ice.
- Polar bears have a thick layer of fat below the surface of the skin, which acts as insulation on the body to trap heat. This is especially important while swimming and during the frigid arctic winter.
- Large body size reduces the amount of surface area exposed to the cold per unit of body mass (pounds of flesh) which generate heat.
- Polar bear dens can be 38 degrees F warmer than the outside temperature.
Here’s a few more things you may not know about polar bears! And did you know that you can help protect polar bears by symbolically adopting one?
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Orcas traveling along the shore near Vancouver Island
What a great inspiration for those of us here at the National Wildlife Federation working on our campaign to save critically endangered orca whales in the Pacific Northwest.
Add your voice to the newest fight for endangered orcas against Big Coal: Tell the Army Corps of Engineers to prevent coal export at Longview, Washington.
The following individuals are featured in the roundtable:
- Dr. Richard Ready, professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics at Penn State University
- Pastor Marvin Friesen of the University Mennonite Church in State College
- Ed Perry, National Wildlife Federation Outreach Consultant
Pennsylvania’s C-NET was on hand to broadcast the roundtable:
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September marks the time of year when lush river bottoms along the Missouri River in north-central Montana are transformed into their annual splendor. In the late afternoon hours on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR), golden light hits the fall colors of the cottonwoods, redosier dogwood, willow and chokecherry, illuminating a unique palette of color that lasts only a few precious weeks. In addition, hundreds of elk congregate along the fertile river-bottom in the Slippery Ann Elk Viewing Area—a cacophony of bugles and grunts fill the canyon walls into the twilight hours. With the nearest major city hundreds of miles away, it’s no problem getting front row seats.
What is the Elk Rut?
The elk mating period, widely referred to as the “rut” is a spectacular opportunity to view large herds of male elk bulls aggressively pursuing female elk cows in a ritual courtship. This annual courtship is photoperiodic, meaning that as the days become shorter in September elk take notice and the cows come into estrus. Large bull elk are on high alert and will often fight to secure a harem of more than 20 cows and spend significant time and energy fending off smaller, inferior bulls. Since elk shed their antlers every year, the older bulls grow a larger set than the previous year—sometimes growing as fast as an inch per day during the summer and ultimately weighing more than 40 pounds. Using these massive antlers, the dominant bull is able to fend off the lesser competition and gain the opportunity to reproduce.
This video I had the honor to film through a spotting scope while at the CMR.
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How to Get to the CMR
As the best places often are—traveling to the CMR is difficult and requires a certain degree of planning. Although massive in size (1.1 million acres) this national wildlife refuge is extremely remote. Most adventurous travelers drive through Billings, Montana and head north for about 150 miles to where the Missouri River crosses the landscape. From there, one can follow signs to the refuge towards the east and roll down the windows to listen for bugling elk. For more information on how to visit this spectacular refuge please contact fischerk@nwf.org.
NWF’s Work on the CMR
NWF has been intimately involved with wildlife and resource issues on the CMR for more than 25 years. Currently NWF is working collaboratively with landowners, agencies and sportsmen to restore a wild, free-roaming population of bison to the CMR. Show your support for wild landscapes like the CMR by sharing this exclusive footage with your family and friends and by learning more at NWF.org/RestoringBison.