Protecting the Marine Mammal Superhighway
While sea ice is down, shipping and disruption are up. © Paul Nicklen/National Geographic Stock/WWF-Canada
The Bering Strait, the Arctic waterway between Russia and Alaska, is known as the "Marine Mammal Superhighway." It is also rapidly becoming a popular route for more than just polar bears, walrus, whales, and seals. As climate change melts Arctic sea ice, this waterway--like others across the region--is seeing a marked increase in shipping traffic. Because shipping can significantly affect ecosystems, WWF is taking action to ensure that development in the Arctic occurs in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
More About the Arctic:
The region and its species, people, and threats
U.S. and other Arctic countries urged to create oil response plans
Take action to help protect America's Arctic from oil and gas drilling
Travel with WWF to experience the natural wonders of the Arctic
|
New Hope for Forests and Families in Indonesia
Rice fields close to Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia. © Christiaan van der Hoeven/WWF-Netherlands
On the edge of Ujung Kulon National Park--the only place in the world where the rare Javan rhino exists--you'll find Asep, a father of four, working to rehabilitate the forest. Asep didn't always have the stability he enjoys today. He fled his village in 2001 due to political unrest, leaving behind his home and rice fields--15 years of labor, lost. Today, the future looks brighter.
 |
May Caption Contest
Enter the WWF Photo Caption Contest and your creative caption could be featured in next month's e-newsletter.
"You told me this was a formal event!"
Marc B., New York, N.Y.
April Contest Winner
|
|
|
U.S. Activists: Protect Bristol Bay from Pebble Mine
An Alaskan native protests the development of Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay. © Scott Dickerson/WWF-US
Alaska's Bristol Bay is a national treasure. It's the ecological epicenter of the Bering Sea, which yields more than 40 percent of the wild-caught seafood produced in the U.S., and an irreplaceable stronghold for fish and wildlife. But right now its future is at risk. The largest open pit copper and gold mine in North America is proposed at the headwaters of Bristol Bay. If developed, the mine would destroy miles of salmon streams and acres of vital salmon habitat, and would require up to 10 billion tons of toxic mine waste to be stored and monitored "in perpetuity." Urge the federal government to protect Bristol Bay from the potentially disastrous Pebble Mine.
 |
Urge Secretary Kerry to Clean Up Our Skies
Sign the petition to help keep our skies clean. © Frank Parhizgar/WWF-Canada
Carbon emissions from aviation are polluting our skies at a staggering rate. They are projected to nearly double by 2030 and continue to climb unless we can adopt new, international policies to get them under control. Secretary of State John Kerry has the opportunity later this month to slash this pollution by supporting a global agreement to reduce the aviation industry's carbon emissions. By taking a leadership role on this critical issue, he would demonstrate to the world our nation's commitment to tackling climate change in the U.S. and across the globe. U.S. Activists: Urge Secretary Kerry to support a global agreement to clean up our skies.
|
FEATURED VIDEOS
|
TRAVEL
The Hudson Bay is the best place to see polar bears in the wild. © Henry H. Holdsworth/wildbynaturegallery.com
Enter for a Chance to Win a Free Trip to See Polar Bears
Have you ever wanted to see a mother polar bear and her cubs, or a huge solitary male polar bear, ambling across the tundra? Here is your chance! In honor of 40 years of conservation work to secure a future for polar bears, WWF is giving away a Classic Polar Bear Adventure for two, courtesy of our tour partner, Natural Habitat Adventures. Come face-to-face with the world's greatest concentration of polar bears on a six-day tour in Churchill, Canada.
Sign up for a free webinar at 3 pm ET on May 21 with Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, managing director of WWF's Species Conservation Program, to learn about polar bear conservation. Natural Habitat Adventures staff will also discuss the experience of seeing wild polar bears.
No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older. Ends 6/30/13. To enter and for official rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit www.worldwildlife.org/sweepstakes. Void in FL & where prohibited. |
FEATURED SPECIES
Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes)
Black-footed ferrets are solitary except during breeding season. © naturepl.com/Shattil & Rozinski/WWF-Canon
Status: Endangered
Basics: Black-footed ferrets are about 18 to 24 inches long and weigh up to 2.5 pounds. The ferret is entirely dependent on the presence of prairie dogs and their colonies for food, shelter and raising young.
Threats: Black-footed ferrets are one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Habitat loss, reduced prey populations and nonnative disease threaten the recovery of the species.
Interesting Fact: In 1987, there were only 18 black-footed ferrets left on the planet. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, which was signed into law 40 years ago today, and decades of collaborative conservation efforts by WWF, other conservation organizations, land management agencies, tribes, landowners and other partners, the population now stands at 1,000 ferrets in the wild.
|
New Headings
Thanks to New Headings' support, 20% from the sale of all of their WWF products is donated to WWF's conservation work. Check out New Headings' latest additions for spring, including Comfort Panda insoles, WWF messenger bag, Thermo Frost lunch bag, and the Panda Picnic Pack. Visit New Headings' Variety Center.
| | 
Bank of America
Is Supporting WWF
Show your love of the tiger with the WWF BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Visa® credit card. Cardholders earn a $100 cash back bonus after qualifying transactions. Bank of America will contribute $100 to WWF for each new qualifying credit card account. Get more details.
|
|
DO YOU KNOW?
An elephant's trunk has many uses--picking up objects, trumpeting warnings, greeting other elephants, drinking water, smelling, bathing and more. © WWF-Canon/Carlos Drews
The human body has more than 600 muscles. How many muscles are in an elephant's trunk?
a. As many as 80,000
b. As many as 150,000
c. As many as 220,000
d. As many as 300,000
Click on one of the answers above to see if you know. |
|
