conservation

Orangutans Struggle to Survive as Palm Oil Booms

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia - Cinta, a baby orangutan found lost and alone in a vast Borneo palm oil plantation, now clings to a tree at a sanctuary for the great apes, staring intently at dozens of tourists.

She is one of the casualties of the boom in palm oil -- used extensively for biofuel and processed food like margarine -- which has seen swathes of jungle felled in Borneo, an island split between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Posted in biodiversity, biofuels, conservation

The Cost of Palm Oil

"The day the (palm) seeds arrived in our country on the plane, I wondered, `what are these seeds?'" Matilda Pilacapio told us at a meeting in late September. Pilacapio is a human rights advocate from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea and she stopped by our Minneapolis office on the way to a meeting with Cargill—the largest palm oil importer in the U.S.

Posted in agriculture, biodiversity, conservation

Killing the Wolf at the Door

Earlier this month a judge cleared the way for wolf hunting in Idaho and Montana, ruling it would not irreparably harm wolf populations.

Posted in conservation, wolf

Faced With Water Woes, California Increases Conservation With Graywater Systems

Pam Hartwell-Herrero is making sure she washes her family's clothes when the olive tree, rhubarb and coffee berries in her front yard look thirsty.

Why?

Hartwell-Herrero and a team of fellow water conservation enthusiasts recently installed a "laundry to landscape" graywater system at her 1960s Fairfax bungalow. It took most of a day to attach a special valve, punch a hole in her garage wall and set up the pipes leading from her washing machine to the garden.

But now, every time Hartwell-Herrero fires up a load of whites, the plants perk up.

Posted in conservation, Sustainability, water

Group Calls for End to National Forest Logging

RICHMOND - A Vermont group has called on the Obama administration to end logging and road building in undeveloped areas of the White Mountain National Forest and other federal woodlands to protect some of the last pristine public lands across the country.

"Americans have waited eight ... years to see our last pristine forests protected ..." said Mollie Matteson, a Vermont-based conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Posted in conservation, Environment

US Calls for More Action to Restore Chesapeake Bay

Declaring the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure that needs urgent help, the Obama administration unveiled sweeping plans Thursday for jump-starting restoration efforts, including proposals to crack down on pollution from farming and development in the six-state region that drains into North America's largest estuary.

Posted in conservation, Environment, pollution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2009
2:17 PM

CONTACT: Wildlife Groups
Chris Cutter (IFAW - HQ)
Tel: 508.744.2066
Email: ccutter@ifaw.org

Abby Berman
Tel: 646.695.8455
Email: abby@rosengrouppr.com

Wildlife Groups Seek Halt to Polar Bear Trade

WASHINGTON - August 31 - The International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society International, and Defenders of Wildlife have urged the United States to lead the way to end international commercial trade in polar bears, including hides, trophies, rugs and other polar bear parts. The United States has an opportunity to submit a proposal to stop the trade at next year's meeting of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The meeting is set for 13-25 March in Doha, Qatar.

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As the world's leading animal welfare organization, IFAW works from its global headquarters in the United States and 16 country offices to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals by reducing the commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW works both on the ground and in the halls of government to safeguard wild and domestic animals and seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people. To learn how you can help, please visit www.ifaw.org

Humane Society International and its affiliate organizations together constitute one of the world's largest animal protection organizations - backed by 11 million people. HSI is creating a better future for animals and people through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide - On the web at hsi.org

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org

Posted in conservation

Restoring Coastal Barriers Vital for Region

The first major hurricane of the Atlantic season, Hurricane Bill, developed into a dangerous Category 4 storm and served as a stark reminder that many of our coastal areas remain deeply vulnerable to severe damage from hurricanes.

Posted in conservation, Environment, katrina

Coalition Calls for Faster Restoration of Wetlands Destroyed by Now-Closed Mississippi River Gulf Outlet

A coalition of advocacy groups this morning called on the federal government to double its efforts to restore the wetlands, marshes and barrier islands that help protect the Gulf Coast from hurricanes.

Posted in conservation, ecology, Environment, katrina

Appeals Court Reinstates US Roadless Area Conservation Rule

SAN FRANCISCO, California - Nearly 40 million acres of roadless national forests are again protected from new road building, logging, and development by a decision today of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstating the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

The decision came in a case brought by four states and 20 environmental organizations against the Bush-era U.S. Forest Service rule that required state governors to petition the federal government for protection of roadless areas on national forests in their states.

Posted in conservation