National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is a prominent conservation organization in the United States, boasting around six million members dedicated to influencing environmental policies at both state and national levels. Established in 1936 by Jay Norwood Darling, NWF emphasizes the importance of wildlife as a key indicator of environmental health and believes that the protection of wildlife is closely linked to human well-being. The organization advocates for clean air, pure water, and healthy ecosystems, encouraging responsible stewardship of natural resources.
NWF conducts various programs to raise awareness and understanding about wildlife conservation, including National Wildlife Week, which engages millions of students annually. It also produces educational materials, such as the monthly magazine Ranger Rick, aimed at fostering an appreciation for nature among children. Furthermore, NWF supports scientific research through its Institute for Wildlife Research and addresses the environmental impacts of biotechnology via its National Biotechnology Policy Center. The Federation has been active in legislative advocacy, defending key environmental laws and working to protect endangered species. Through its diverse initiatives, the NWF seeks to inspire action and promote a sustainable future for wildlife and humans alike.
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Subject Terms
National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
- DATE: Established 1936
The National Wildlife Federation is a conservation educational organization that works to promote the wise use of natural resources.
Background
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is an organization of approximately six million private citizens interested in influencing state and national policies. Its programs are based on the organization’s beliefs that wildlife, an important indicator of environmental quality, can be protected through awareness, understanding, and action. The NWF believes that clean air, pure water, rich soil, and abundant plant and animal life should be seen as gifts to be used wisely, and it views the welfare of wildlife as inseparable from that of humans.
Impact on Resource Use
The NWF sponsors the Institute for Wildlife Research, which focuses on studies of species of special interest, and the National Policy Center, which addresses the environmental implications of biotechnology. Each year, it sponsors National Wildlife Week, which reaches millions of students annually to promote awareness about the needs of wildlife. The NWF has developed science and social studies supplements for middle schools and runs a wildlife camp for children.
Among the many publications of the National Wildlife Federation are Ranger Rick, a monthly magazine for elementary schoolchildren, NatureScope, a curriculum supplement of science and nature activities, and National Wildlife.
The NWF has helped defend the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, worked to prevent most oil and gas leasing in national wildlife refuges, fought to help endangered species such as the red squirrel and the bald eagle, and initiated a nationwide campaign to amend the US Constitution with an Environmental Quality Amendment.
Bibliography
"History and Heritage." National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org/About-Us/History. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
"National Wildlife Federation." New World Encyclopedia, 11 Nov. 2022, https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/National‗Wildlife‗Federation. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Richardson, Kasandra and Nicole Litwiller. "New Report Tells the Story of National Wildlife Federation's Equity and Justice Journey." NWF Blog, 4 May 2023, blog.nwf.org/2023/05/new-report-tells-the-story-of-national-wildlife-federations-equity-justice-journey/. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.