PennFuture on water: Flows downstream

Flows downstream :: A water blog by PennFuture Trash on a sewer storm grate Acid mine drainage turns the Lackawanna River orange before it flows into the Susquehanna River at a borehole in Old Forge. Kayaker on the Lackawanna River, which flows to the Susquehanna River

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

A week for wildlife



March 17-23 is National Wildlife Week (first begun in 1938). Here's what we're doing to observe it --- along with some ideas for what you can do.  PennFuture is proud to help implement the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) conservation vision as their Pennsylvania affiliate since 2009.
National Wildlife Week 2014 banner



DID YOU KNOW? National Wildlife Federation was founded in 1936 as the General Wildlife Federation, thanks to the organizing work of Ding Darling in the late 1930’s. At his initiative, President Franklin D. Roosevelt convened 2,000 hunters, anglers, and conservationists in Washington, DC at the first North American Wildlife Conference.



America’s film sweetheart, Shirley Temple, was an honorary chairperson of the third annual National Wildlife Week in 1940. She helped promote NWF’s collectible conservation stamps, which featured more than 1,000 wildlife species and raised millions of dollars for conservation since then.



What we're doing for National Wildlife Week.

  • Our legal team is keeping up the pressure to protect a special part of the Loyalsock State Forest.
  • Our state policy director, outreach, and communications teams are providing leadership to stop a destructive bill and protect wildlife (including trout --- our state fish).
  • Our federal policy director will transform into NWF's Ranger Rick for a day during March Madness (or longer, if she likes it) to draw attention to climate change's impact on wildlife mascots.
  • Our water experts are providing guidance on a plan to restore the Susquehanna River region from its top to its bottom — including the Chesapeake Bay.
  • Our president is working on her flyfishing technique.
 What you can do. 
  • Contact your state representative and oppose House Bill 1576, which could negatively impact our state's wildlife.
  • Spend some time in one of Pennsylvania's state parks (they’ve won awards) or at least stand in your backyard and absorb some Vitamin D.
  • Share photos and stories on Facebook (wacky, wild, or whimsical) about your wildlife experiences.
  • Support the work we’re doing ‘cause we can’t do it without you. Thank you! 
  • Go fishing — or at least share your flyfishing tips with our president, Cindy.
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