It’s almost been a year since the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, along with 22 other plants and animals, was officially declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Destruction of their forest habitat largely caused the decline. Birders and conservationists around the world mourned the announcement. The loss of the third largest woodpecker in the world rang through the hearts of those passionate about wildlife and sparked a fearful feeling that more animals and plants — and especially birds — would become extinct because of human activity. In Arizona, we are particularly concerned about the loss of wildlife due to our 20+ year drought, the continual decline of the Colorado River, the ever-rising temperatures, and habitat loss.

Our species are well-adapted to the heat, whether it’s pooping on their feet to keep cool (shout-out to Turkey Vultures) or hiding in saguaros. However, there’s still concern about how well Arizona animals and plants will continue to adapt to increasing temperatures and decreasing water. That harsh environment and harmful human activity have contributed to the loss and fragmentation of habitats. 

One bird species in Arizona that is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a National Bird of Conservation Concern is the Burrowing Owl. I have had the chance to see a nest site with four Burrowing Owls in it only once — it was an incredible sight! 

The main reason for the decline of Burrowing Owl populations here is habitat loss. As cities like Phoenix grow, the unfortunate result is the displacement of owls and the decrease in good habitats for them. However, something that many Arizonans don’t know is that land and wildlife managers are working to create artificial burrowing sites. Conservation groups and Non-Profit organizations across Arizona are working to protect Burrowing Owls and to help relocate them after displacement. 

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will further protect species in Arizona like the Burrowing Owl, the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy owl, Apache Trout, and Black-footed Ferret. Read more about Recovering America's Wildlife Act here to see how you can help.

Declaring a species extinct is no easy task — even now people report sightings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. An even more difficult task, however, is in deciding when to move on from an extinct species and begin helping those of greatest conservation need.

To read more about the other Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Arizona, visit https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/speciesofgreatestconservneed/.

Arizona Wildlife Federation’s Becoming and Outdoors-Woman Program to be Inducted into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame

The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department will honor this deserving and outstanding program and its coordinators for their contributions to Arizona’s natural outdoor conservation on August 21, 2021 at the Wigwam Resort, Litchfield Park.

Arizona Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW)

Sponsored by the Arizona Wildlife Federation, the Arizona Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program (also known as BOW) began more than 25 years ago. The program is part of the national Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program started by Christine Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Resource Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1991. Arizona BOW events are held four times per year in various locations around the state and are designed to give women age 18 and older the opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a sage and supportive environment conducive to learning, making friends, and having fun.

Using elements of the national curriculum with adaptations for Arizona, the workshops offer classes such as hiking, fishing, hunting, shooting and archery, outdoor cooking, GPS, wilderness survival, rappelling, birding, camping, nature relaxation and much more. Evening entertainment and campfires round out the outdoor experience.

Coordinators Linda Dightmon, of Payson, and Kathy Greene, of Tucson, make the BOW camps happen and have constantly improved BOW over the years. They and a team of dedicated volunteers, including Mark Hullinger, of Heber, one of the original founders of BOW, provide a mix of over 50 classes developed and taught by volunteer instructors at BOW camps.

COVID-19 limited camp opportunities in 2020, but events are back in full swing and ready to connect women to outdoor skills. Upcoming events include a one-day workshop on July 17 in Flagstaff and a three-day, two night camp in Prescott, September 10-12, 2021. Scholarships are available to open the experience to underserved women. Information and registration, including two videos featuring activities and coordinators, Linda and Kathy, provide a great background about the program: https://azwildlife.org/BOW

To buy tickets to the Wildlife for Tomorrow Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Award Ceremony, visit: https://www.wildlifefortomorrow.org/halloffame

• Anna Groover

RESTON, Va. – The National Wildlife Federation honored Brad Powell, board president of the Arizona Wildlife Federation, with its Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award. The award celebrates Powell’s success growing the Arizona Wildlife Federation’s capacity and influence in the region and his leadership in redesigning how affiliates collaborate to achieve the Federation’s shared conservation goals.

“Brad has spent his career developing and marshaling relationships with everyone from hunters and anglers to congressional leaders and strengthening the Federation’s institutions so that we can achieve substantive victories for wildlife, land, waters, and people,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “With a command of the challenges and issues the Federation faces, Brad has set the national agenda for our advocacy in the years to come and continues to work tirelessly in Arizona to see this vision become a reality.”

“It’s a great honor to receive the Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership award. There is no higher honor than to be recognized by your peers for work that you are truly passionate about,” said Powell.  “Cooperation and strong partnerships are essential for organizations like the Arizona Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, and its affiliate family to achieve long-term success in wildlife conservation.”

While at Arizona Wildlife Federation, Powell has grown the organization’s capacity from one part-time staff member to multiple full-time staff members and a significant annual budget. In addition to establishing Arizona Wildlife Federation as a regional conservation authority, Powell helped develop the National Wildlife Federation’s strategic plan, increasing affiliate capacity, effectiveness, and coordination across national and regional conservation issues. Powell also co-chaired the Federation’s Hunter/Angler Working Group, which convenes sporting affiliates to draft Federation-wide policy resolutions on sporting matters. 

The Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award honors individuals who have demonstrated a true appreciation for the value and potential of the National Wildlife Federation-affiliate partnership. Powell was honored during the National Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting and 85th anniversary celebration, which was held for the second time as a virtual event this year.

This special achievement award was created in Charlie Shaw’s memory to honor individuals whose actions reflect the spirit of his work — first as executive director of North Carolina Wildlife Federation and later as a National Wildlife Federation regional executive. Shaw loved the National Wildlife Federation. In his eyes, the Federation was not simply a relationship between “national” and each affiliate partner. Shaw rightly saw one big family — many different conservationists all working together toward the goal of protecting wildlife and habitat.

The National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Awards began in 1966. Since then, the National Wildlife Federation has celebrated individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting wildlife through education, advocacy, communication and on-the-ground conservation. Previous honorees have included former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson and Michelle Obama and other national leaders, including U.S. Sen. John McCain and filmmaker Robert Redford.

https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/6-12-21-Charlie-Shaw-Award-Brad-Powell

PHOENIX (April 22, 2021) — The Arizona Wildlife Federation commends the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning to lead the Bureau of Land Management, overseeing more than 245 million acres of public lands. Stone-Manning is a Westerner who has spent much of her career working on public lands issues. She currently serves as the senior advisor for conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation.

“I can think of no finer person to steward our public lands than Tracy Stone-Manning. As an avid hunter, backpacker and lifelong conservationist, she has a deep and abiding love for our nation’s lands and waters. Her tireless work, both as a public servant in Montana and then at the National Wildlife Federation, has ensured that our public lands are sustainably managed for the benefit of all users. The Arizona Wildlife Federation looks forward to working with her to make sure our lands – and the people and wildlife that depend on them – will continue to thrive for future generations,” said Scott Garlid, executive director of the Arizona Wildlife Federation.

Stone-Manning joined the National Wildlife Federation in 2017 to lead its public lands program and was promoted last winter to senior advisor for conservation policy. Before joining the Federation, she served as Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s chief of staff, where she oversaw day-to-day operations of his cabinet and the state’s 11,000 employees. She stepped into that post after serving as the director of the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, overseeing the state’s water, air, mining and remediation programs. She served as a regional director and senior advisor to Senator Jon Tester during his first term, focusing on forestry issues. Early in her career, she led the Clark Fork Coalition, a regional conservation group, as it advocated successfully for Superfund cleanups that created thousands of jobs and revitalized a river. The group also co-owned and managed a cattle ranch in the heart of the Superfund site.  

Raised in a big, Navy family — her dad commanded a submarine — she was guided into public service from childhood. She is a backpacker, hunter and singer, and has been married to the writer Richard Manning for 30 years. She lives in Missoula, Montana and holds a M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana and an B.A. from the University of Maryland. She started her career as an intern with the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, D.C. in 1987.

 

###

Contact: Scott Garlid, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Scott@AZWildlife.org, 480-487-4663 

Arizona Interfaith Power and Light and the Arizona Wildlife Federation invite you to learn how you can help support Monarch Butterflies and other native species in your own backyard. A panel of experts will share the current issues facing Monarchs in the Southwest, and what we as individuals, congregations and communities can do to try to ameliorate habitat loss in both the mountain and desert climates of Arizona. While we work to address the forces that erode the health of our planet overall, come learn what we can do individually and together to make a difference for this majestic species right now. Our speakers include Gail Morris, Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist, and Arizona Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists from the desert and the high country.

Watch the recording!

Resources for Helping Monarch Butterflies in Arizona.pdf

Josh Ruddick of the Arizona Master Naturalists talks about how trees can mitigate the heat island effect in our desert cities. Get our your laser temperature gauge--you'll want to test your backyard after watching this video!

Take a look at the data on growth and the decline in lowering temps.

Along with planting trees, you also have the power to affect policy on a national scale by letting our Arizona Senators, Sinema and McSally know how important it is for all of us to #actonclimate.

Installing raised garden beds gives you the opportunity to raise your own food and provides food and shelter for wildlife. Raised beds can increase your home value with beauty and self-sufficiency. Planting in your yard rebuilds habitat and helps cool the planet from increasing temperatures. 

Join TJ as he installs raised beds at his home in Chino Valley as he shows us tips and tricks for easy and low cost garden beds.

Want to attract more wildlife to your yard, even "just" songbirds and butterflies? Check out this video to learn how. 

Here's something you can do while you are waiting for that lawn to die back, send a letter to Senators Sinema and McSally to encourage them both to take strong leadership on climate change. We've made it easy for you to send a letter: https://azwildlife.org/Climate-Action-for-Wildlife

Dreaming about your new beautiful yard teeming with wildlife and native plants, check out the National Wildlife Federation's Gardening for Wildlife program here:  https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife

Check out the article in Ahwatukee Foothills News from May 14, 2020 : https://www.ahwatukee.com/opinion/article_fea436ae-953c-11ea-8e25-23193b525668.html

Champion of Conservation, Chair Liz Archuleta, Honored for Her Leadership
The Arizona Wildlife Federation presented the new Chair of Coconino County Board of Supervisors with an award recognizing her extensive track record of conservation leadership.

Flagstaff, AZ (May 5, 2020) — The Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF) honored Liz Archuleta, Chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 5th for her dedication, service and leadership relating to her work in conservation.

“Supervisor Archuleta has been a true conservation leader for her community and we are proud to recognize her achievements,” said Scott Garlid, Executive Director of Arizona Wildlife Federation. He continued, “From her leadership addressing the massive impacts from the Schultz fire and floods to raising awareness on the impacts of climate change to Arizona’s communities, she continues to show all Arizonans what effective and dedicated leadership looks like.”

Chair Archuleta has been on the front lines of climate change, leading her community to deal with the effects of intense wildfires and the resulting floods. She educates other community leaders on the importance of adequately planning and allocating resources for these crisis events.

Among other accomplishments, Chair Archuleta has also chaired the Public Lands Committee at the National Association of Counties and has been a tireless advocate for public land conservation. She continues to ensure people understand that the Latinx community has centuries-old connections to our lands and through those cultural connections they remain strong stewards for conservation.

Archuleta is also a founder of the non-profit HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping and Hunting in the Outdoors) and promotes positive experiences outdoors for all Arizonans.

“Like the rest of Arizona, the citizens of Coconino County are currently struggling to deal with the impacts of a global pandemic and they will be well served by the leadership of Liz Archuleta as she assumes the chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors during these difficult times,” added Garlid.

Arizona Wildlife Federation encourages you to urge our leaders to act on climate. Send your letter here: https://azwildlife.org/Climate-Action-for-Wildlife

We thank Representatives Tom O'Halleran and Ann Kirkpatrick for being climate champions and we urge Senators Sinema and McSally to take bold leadership in bring climate solutions into national action. 

See the earned media in the Arizona Daily Sun: https://azdailysun.com/news/local/county-chairwoman-liz-archuleta-receives-conservation-award/article_0473aecf-6323-504c-a863-3c7b2ea3ffe0.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Certified Wildlife Habitats can even be accomplished just on the porch. Staffer Nikki Julien shows that with even just pots on the porch can create an amazing habitat for butterflies. The foliage also creates a sheltered micro-climate that keeps temps lower in summer and warmer in winter. Backyard garden can even help mitigate climate change. Check it out: