The tree people. “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now”. In addition to valuable information concerning trees and our environment, this website has a link to the National Register of Big Trees. Check it out and become inspired.
Well-known for their tough stance concerning environmental activism, the Defenders are a pro-active, no-nonsense group of inspired individuals focused on the protection of wild animals and plants. Their logo includes a wolf and not surprisingly they’re leaders in wolf conservation throughout the lower 48 states. Big cats, bears, dolphins, birds, polar bears, manatees, bison, and sea otters are some of the various wild creatures the Defenders work to protect.
I like to see how my Senators and Representatives are voting and this website is where I can do that. Their Annual Arizona Legislative Scorecard in printed form is a great tool for revealing what issues are hot and receiving the most attention as well as for indicating who is pushing or pulling for what. The seasonal issues of their Arizona Conservation Voter newsletter provide the public with timely alerts concerning the actions needed to influence our policy makers in the direction of environmental protection and conservation. If you vote, you might want to follow up on your elected choices in government and periodically voice your opinion in respect to those officials. The League provides an efficient way for doing that.
TNC has a big local presence in certain
parts of Arizona. Aravaipa Canyon, Ramsey Canyon,
the San Pedro River basin, the Muleshoe Ranch Conservancy,
Hart Prairie, the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve,
and the Hassayampa River are some of their key efforts.
Sedona has a TNC site outside of town along the Red
Cliffs near Palatki and Honanki. TNC owns an old ranch
at the entrance of Hartwell Canyon and effectively
seals off this canyon from public use, even though
everything within the canyon except the old ranch
site is Coconino National Forest land, public land.
Call ahead and you can get permission to pass through
TNC property in order to explore Hartwell, otherwise
you have to climb some good-sized cliffs or come in
from the back way via Boynton Canyon, a long hike
that you must do in reverse when you leave unless
you have already scoped out an alternative front canyon
exit over the cliffs. It’s a canyon that has
been rarely hiked or explored by the public and if
you get the opportunity to do so, you’ll see
why TNC is pleased to be its protector.
Hard to beat this group’s inspiration: “to augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.” Founded at MIT in 1969, today it consists of 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. A powerful voice for change.
The Waterkeeper Alliance is the guardian
of over 156 local Waterkeeper programs worldwide -
Riverkeeper, Baykeeper, Coastkeeper, Soundkeeper and
other watershed advocates who patrol and protect their
waterway, standing up to polluters and guaranteeing
everyone's right to clean water. Notables like Robert
F. Kennedy, Jr. are onboard heading up the dedicated
work of thousands of volunteers around the world.
Their newsletter offers current news details concerning
important legal cases challenging polluters over watershed
damage. A fantastic group doing work in the field,
on the water, and in the courtrooms.
One of the original enviro groups to emerge from the 1970’s and grow into a highly-respected cadre of researchers that keeps the public intelligently informed on issues concerning environmental risks and dangers, helps arm environmental policy makers with in-depth scientific reporting, and ultimately positively influences the world we live in. This is one of the most important environmental global think tanks anywhere in the world. They’re responsible for providing the accurate, scientific information we need to know in order to effect constructive change in our world. Thanks.
