, , ,

House Bill Proposes Repeal of Oil and Gas Program in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

, , ,
House Bill Proposes Repeal of Oil and Gas Program in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The National Wildlife Refuge Association strongly supports the language released yesterday by the House of Representatives in their Build Back Better reconciliation bill that repeals the disastrous oil and gas development program on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This bill also buys back the leases that were improperly sold in January to ensure they will be canceled. The language included in the bill would repeal the creation of the oil and gas program included in the 2017 Tax Act, repeal the addition of an oil and gas program as a “purpose of the refuge”, and buy back the leases sold in the last minute sale before the change of administrations.

,

Leatherback Turtles Nesting Habitat Restoration in Puerto Rico

,
Leatherback Turtles Nesting Habitat Restoration in Puerto Rico

Jessica Castro-Prieto and her team recently completed the nesting reporting for the 2021 nesting season which extends from April to July. 1,545 leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nests were reported, with the municipalities of Dorado, Añasco, Maunabo, Luquillo, and Arecibo accounting for 70 percent of the total nesting activity in the island.

Martha Williams Nominated To Be The 23rd Director Of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Martha Williams Nominated To Be The 23rd Director Of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

President Joe Biden has nominated Martha Williams to be the 23rd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to support Martha Williams, who has been acting as Director since January 20th, and looks forward to supporting her confirmation in the Senate.

Moving Forward: An Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Update

Moving Forward: An Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Update

While public programs remain on hold, for the most part, the Urban Program continues to grow and strengthen partnerships with communities and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Urban Wildlife Conservation Program.

2021 Refuge Awards: Ensuring Safety

2021 Refuge Awards: Ensuring Safety

The National Wildlife Refuge Association's annual Refuge Awards brings together supporters and lovers of our National Wildlife Refuge System. The event honors the outstanding achievements of Refuge System staff, leaders, volunteers, supporting groups, and advocates. It is a chance to celebrate those who make the National Wildlife Refuge System the greatest network of conservation lands and waters in the world.

In 2021, the National Wildlife Refuge Association is still planning on holding this event in person. But we will be implementing protocols for safety.

,

Protections Restored To The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

,
Protections Restored To The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

President Joe Biden will sign a Proclamation restoring protections to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the first marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean. This monument, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects unique geological features and habitats for whales, puffins, turtles, and deep-sea corals.

,

Ecosystems Shifting In The Face Of Climate Change

,
Ecosystems Shifting In The Face Of Climate Change

Some signs of climate change are subtle, such as shifting precipitation patterns or altered migration patterns, but some signs are dramatic, with monster storms hammering coastal communities and droughts and wildfires out west. While we know climates are shifting and changing, these signs are becoming more and more obvious as the years pass and the damage compounds.

Government Shutdown Averted For Now, Please Contact Your Members Of Congress

Government Shutdown Averted For Now, Please Contact Your Members Of Congress

On the last day of the fiscal year, Congress has finally passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 3rd. While a shutdown has been averted, there are no increases to funding in this legislation.

,

Protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Restored To Benefit Birds

,
Protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Restored To Benefit Birds

The Biden Administration formally announced the revocation of the rule finalized on January 7, 2021 that severely limited the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and exempted industry from punishment for causing deaths or harm to migratory birds. Begun as a treaty with Canada in 1916 and since codified into law, the MBTA originally protected migratory bird species from the feather trade.