Advancing a Common Agenda for PREPARED FOR NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS
in Crisis Why are Declining? LARGE-SCALE AND RAPID CHANGE Historic accounts describe vast flocks of birds, massive herds of bison, and myriad other animals moving across America s seemingly endless forests, grasslands, and waterways. In past centuries, these resources were seen as unlimited and were therefore mismanaged. At the turn of the 20th century, many could see that continuing down the path of exploitation would mean an end to abundant and thriving wildlife in America. In the coming decades, more than one-third of America s fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction. Native species are under threat because of habitat loss, changing climate, and other impacts of our growing society but we have the tools to help reverse this alarming trend. The National, in partnership with various Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private wildlife conservation groups and individual supporters and partners alike, have together brought many species back from the brink of extinction already. Our conservation successes include the recovery of elk, bighorn sheep, whales, wild turkeys, wood ducks, eagles, snow geese, brown pelicans, and many more. Land Use Changes Urban sprawl and energy development fragmenting large areas of wildlife habitat. 200,000,000+ acres of industrial farms have replaced small, family farms. 4 million miles of highway. Population Growth 322m 2016 128m 1936 150% INCREASE Diseases Rivers and Waterways 75% 75% of America s rivers and streams have been altered in ways detrimental to wildlife habitat. 1/3 of the naton s rivers and streams do not meet basic water quality standards. Climate Change Climate change poses direct threats, and amplifies and accelerates other factors. Sea Level Rise 1.5ft by 2050 6.2ft by 2100 Increased storm intensity, drought, and seawater acidifying. But with these rising risks, a bold new vision is needed to bring wildlife back to healthy and abundant levels over the next generation. Our new plan Toward a Common Agenda for aims to do just that. 2 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION / COVER PHOTO: ISTOCK PHOTO: THINKSTOCK New and emerging diseases are an increasing problem for many species. Chronic wasting disease is ravaging deer and cervid s brains and Chytrid Fungus (Bd) is decimating amphibian populations worldwide. Invasive Species Harmful invaders are degrading natural habitats across the country. ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 3
PHOTO: STEPHEN ELLIS Our Common Agenda for is comprised of three pillars that will help guide our work to restore America s wildlife, starting over the next four years and working toward our 30-year vision of halting the decline of U.S. wildlife populations. Building a Common Agenda for Success Protect, Restore, Connect Habitat Transform Connect Americans with As we witness widespread declines in native wildlife populations, it becomes clear that we need to do even more to resolve the many pressures on wildlife and we need to start now. The National s vision for a Common Agenda for builds on what s working and articulates a new paradigm for reversing the decline of wildlife in America. PROTECTED HABITAT WORKING LANDS WATERS COASTS COMMUNITIES 21ST CENTURY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CLIMATE CHANGE PUBLIC INTERESTS IN PUBLIC RESOURCES SYSTEMIC THREATS TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP ETHIC NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIONISTS BROADEN THE WILDLIFE CONSTITUENCY BUILD POWER FOR WILDLIFE 4 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 5
PILLAR 1 PHOTO: THINKSTOCK WINS FOR WILDLIFE Creating 87,000 More Acres of Conflict-Free Habitat Protect, Restore, Connect Habitat Our Adopt a Acre program is one of our biggest successes, with over one-million acres of conflict-free habitat created by the National in the last 20 years. The recent retirement of the domestic sheep grazing permit on the Cape Horn allotment in Idaho through this program will end wildlife conflicts in this critically important habitat and help stop the risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep to wild bighorns. It s good for salmon and other valuable species on the landscape, too! Expanding this program in 2018 is a big priority, and we hope you will help. At the National we will work across SUCCESS BY 2021 large landscapes and waterways to increase habitat connectivity and expand corridors so wildlife can move, mate, and thrive. The adoption of landscape-scale approaches to conservation A nationwide network of well-managed protected areas and wildlife corridors, along with working lands, farms, and forests that support abundant wildlife Water systems that have higher ecological value for fish and wildlife Living (not hardened) shorelines Green, healthy, and wildlife-friendly communities 6 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION PHOTO: UNSPLASH ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 7
PILLAR 2 PHOTO: HOWARD HACKNEY WINS FOR WILDLIFE A New Calf is Born. A New Era Begins. Transform The release of 20 wild bison in the last year to the Wind River Reservation is a win for wildlife, a win for the National, and a win for our tribal partners. This year brought another exciting announcement: the first bison calf to be born on the lands of the Eastern Shoshone people in more than 130 years. Someday, herds of hundreds or thousands of bison may thunder on these open plains once again, which would surely be one of the most thrilling conservation victories in the last century! SUCCESS BY 2021 It will take modern ideas and innovative tactics to reverse the decline of wildlife in the United States. Working to improve wildlife habitat is essential but it will not be enough alone. The National must work to manage wildlife with a focus on stabilizing and recovering populations of species large and small that contribute to the health of entire ecosystems now and in the future. Increased public funding for fish and wildlife conservation Greater emphasis and effectiveness throughout the wildlife conservation community in creating thriving populations of species (game and nongame) Expanded research, skill, and competency in the field for addressing rapid changes including climate adaptation Fish and wildlife community actively engaged in addressing emerging threats including greenhouse gas emissions, invasive species, shifting disease vectors, and new and insidious form of habitat loss and pollution New proof points of wildlife recovery, such as bison restored to a key portion of their original range, increases in predator species, stabilization of other declining species, and more Halt erosion of the public trust by preventing privatization of public lands and wildlife 8 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION PHOTO: MATT BRINEY ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 9
PILLAR 3 PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES WINS FOR WILDLIFE Thousands of Wow Moments Connect Americans with This year, tens of thousands of children camped, played, and learned outside some for the very first time. Through education and engagement programs like Eco-Schools, Certified Habitat, Great American Campout and Butterfly Heroes, the and its partners have provided quality programming to 4 million students at 12,000 schools, organized nationwide efforts to plant 650,000 pollinator gardens and 35,000 trees, and recruited 340 cities, counties, and towns to the Mayor s Monarch butterfly pledge. Together we re inspiring future generations of conservationists to take action where they are, and join us in reversing the declines in wildlife populations and speeding their recovery. The National knows that coalitions SUCCESS BY 2021 and collaborative action are the keys to long-lasting success. Together with our affiliates and partners, we will create a movement that inspires and empowers millions of Americans to protect wildlife and our shared environment. 11 million wildlife activists 10,000 influential leaders A movement as diverse as America 25 million young people 300,000 educators and 20,000 schools Career training for 2 million young adults 10 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION PHOTO: EVAN KIRBY ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 11
PHOTO: NATHAN ANDERSON With the support of our partners, over the next four years the National will: Change Starts with You 1 Ensure a majority of Americans and policymakers are aware of our nation s wildlife crisis by activating 11 million people and joining forces with 2,500 partner organizations as part of America s conservation army. 2 Help put 25% of America s at-risk wildlife species on a path to recovery, protect and better manage habitat and wildlife on millions of acres of public and tribal land, and restore and enhance the resilience of critical private land and water habitat by securing additional conservation funding and advancing 21st century wildlife management practices in partnership with state and federal wildlife agencies. Increasing wildlife populations in the long run demands bold action in the short run. The steps we take in the next four years will impact our ability toward our 30-year vision of halting the decline of U.S. wildlife populations. The National knows the changes we want and we need your help. 3 4 5 Rebuild America s conservation ethic by engaging 25 million young people across 20,000 schools in environmental education and recurring outdoor experiences. Increase the relevance of wildlife conservation nationwide by partnering on local water, wildlife habitat, and environmental justice projects in 1,000 diverse urban and rural communities. Defend America s democratic public trust resources (public lands, waterways, and wildlife) for current and future generations from threats of divestiture, reduced access, or privatization. 12 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 13
Affiliates and Regional Offices Northwest Field Office Field Office MILWAUKIE, OR SEATTLE, WA MISSOULA, MT NORT HERN ROCKIES, Montana PRAIRIES, AND PACIFIC Association of Northwest Steelheaders Idaho Planning and League Nevada For further information, or to make a contribution or leave a legacy for wildlife, please call 1-800-919-9151 to speak to a National staff liaison today. Wyoming ROC KY Colorado MOUNTAIN Arizona New Mexico North Dakota Minnesota Nebraska Wisconsin Iowa Prairie Rivers Network Kansas AUSTIN, TX NORTH EAST Environmental Michigan United Clubs Texas Alliance Louisiana Field Office Mississippi Georgia Alabama Field Office, ANNAPOLIS, MD National Advocacy Center WASHINGTON, DC MID -ATLANTIC ATLANTA, GA Delaware Nature Society National Headquarters, RESTON, VA Virginia Network Tennessee Arkansas New Jersey Audubon West Virginia Rivers Coalition Kentucky Waterways Alliance Florida Environmental League of Massachusetts Environment Council of Rhode Island Connecticut Forest & Park Association Advocates of New York PennFuture ANN ARBOR, MI National Ohio Aquarium Indiana of Missouri Coalition of Oklahoma SOU TH CENTR AL Natural Resources Council of Maine New Hampshire Audubon GR EAT LAKES Regional Center ALASKA Vermont Natural Resources Council MONTPELIER, VT South Dakota DENVER, CO MIDPINES, CA Earth Corps North Carolina South Carolina NWF Affiliate NWF NEW ORLEANS, LA HAWAI I Council for Hawai i PUERTO RICO Sociedad Ornitol ógica Puertorriqueña, Inc. 14 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION VIRGIN ISLANDS Virgin Islands Society ADVANCING A COMMON AGENDA FOR WILDLIFE 15
PHOTO: THOMAS KELLEY Your support has been vital to our past achievements and is needed now more than ever to protect and defend our wildlife. To learn more on how you can engage with the National, please visit NWF.org/Get-Involved A4276