SEATTLE - March 19 - The Nature Conservancy and American Rivers today applauded Representative Rick Larsen and Senator Patty Murray for introducing new legislation that will designate Illabot Creek, a key tributary of the Skagit River, as a Wild and Scenic River.

"By introducing this legislation, Rep. Larsen and Sen. Murray are showing tremendous vision to protect the quality of life for people all around Puget Sound by ensuring that salmon and eagles will thrive long into the future," said Karen Anderson, Washington state director for the Conservancy.

WASHINGTON - March 11 - Today's vote, although a tremendous disappointment to all who value America's public lands, nonetheless demonstrates the broad bipartisan support for wilderness protection. Although it missed a two-thirds majority by two votes, the final tally was lopsided in support of the legislation.

WASHINGTON - March 11 - The House of Representatives rejected legislation today that would have included the second largest Wild and Scenic package in history. The House voted on S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, under a suspension of the rules. Unfortunately, the bill was defeated 282-144, just two votes shy of the necessary two-thirds of the Representatives present.

ROME - March 11 - At the conclusion of a three-day meeting, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) today signalled what conservationists see as a dangerous change of course which jeopardises the future of whales.

For several years, the 84-nation intergovernmental Commission has elaborated a detailed scientific procedure (Revised Management Procedure) to ensure all catch limits for any future commercial whaling would be within sustainable limits calculated using tested scientific procedures.

WASHINGTON - March 10 - Like the mythological Phoenix rising from the ashes, the House of Representatives and the Senate today re-introduced a bill aimed at solving a critical part of America's wildfire suppression funding crisis. The Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement (FLAME) Act is designed to help federal agencies address the escalating cost of suppressing wildfires. It would also relieve the burden placed on other vital programs and services each year when the agencies pull money away from them to fight fires.

WASHINGTON - March 6 - Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced he has decided to follow the Bush administration's flawed decision to remove the protections of the Endangered Species Act from wolves in Idaho and Montana.

The following is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president for Defenders of Wildlife:

WASHINGTON - March 3 - President Obama announced today that he would undo last-minute changes made by the Bush administration to the Endangered Species Act. The changes, made in December 2008, would dramatically weaken and limit the use of the landmark wildlife protection law, according to scientists and attorneys at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Following are comments from Andrew Wetzler, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Endangered Species Program.

WASHINGTON - March 3 - The nation's leading voice for the national parks, the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association today testified before Congress in support of legislation to expand Saguaro National Park.