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Environmental Issues--Wildlife
A Natural Investment for Massachusetts' Wildlife & Its People
The black-capped chickadee, Massachusetts' state bird and familiar backyard visitor, is on the team. The secretive spotted turtle, occasionally glimpsed basking on a log, and the eastern bluebird, Nature's official herald of spring, are also part of the wildlife team. Now we want YOU to join this team, too!
In Massachusetts, and across the nation, citizens, conservation groups, local businesses and public agencies have formed a TEAM to help make possible a future teeming with wildlife.
Teaming With Wildlife (TWW) is a coalition of more than 3,000 organizations across the country working to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by supporting increased state and federal funding for wildlife conservation.
This coalition includes wildlife managers, conservationists, hunters and anglers, businesses, and many others who support the goal of restoring and conserving our nation's wildlife.
In Massachusetts, the TWW Coalition is forty members strong, and includes groups like ELM, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Massachusetts Sportsmen's Council, and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team. By joining the TWW Coalition in Massachusetts, you or your organization will be supporting permanent funding for non-game wildlife conservation, conservation education and wildlife related recreation.
Did You Know?:
However, just as we are cheering successes in securing our valuable and renewable game populations and bringing back a number of endangered species from the brink, we are experiencing losses of common songbirds, amphibians, fish and other creatures that until recently attracted little notice.
The health of wildlife is often and early indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all.
Making an investment in protecting our wildlife resources and natural habitat in Massachusetts will allow us to identify and prevent problems before they further threaten wildlife and affect humans.
With 6 million people living on the 5 million acres that is Massachusetts, we find ourselves competing with wildlife for space, food, water and places to call home. Wildlife and people need and deserve a high quality of life. We have the expertise to balance the needs of wildlife and people, but not the funding.
What is Being Done To Protect Wildlife in Massachusetts:
1) Each state in the country, including Massachusetts, has developed a proactive Wildlife Action Plan to conserve wildlife before they become more rare and more costly to protect.
2) In Massachusetts, while our Wildlife Action Plan hasn't yet received federal approval, it outlines actions developed by scientists, sportsmen, conservationists, AND members of the community that will help to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations.
3) The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition in Massachusetts in on a mission to grow its numbers, thereby increasing the power of its voice with the state legislature and with the United States Congress in order to secure much needed funding for wildlife protection.
What YOU Can Do:
For additional information about the Massachusetts Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, or if you have questions about how you can become involved, please contact Megan Amundson at mamundson@environmentalleague.org.1) Join the Massachusetts TWW Coalition by signing the endorsement form and returning it to: Environmental League of Massachusetts, 14 Beacon Street, Suite 714, Boston, MA 02108, or by faxing it to 617-742-9656.
2) Support the efforts of TWW as we try to secure more state and federal funding to protect wildlife in Massachusetts. Membership to this Coalition is free. This is an opportunity for organizations, businesses and individuals to publicly express their support for the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition's goal.
3) Look for updated information on this website and in emails and newsletters for ways to stay involved. As a member of the Massachusetts TWW Coalition, you are encouraged to attend occasional meetings, distribute flyers, assist at public events, write letters to newspapers, Congress and others to help promote awareness and support for their goal.
