Help Save Polar Bears

On Friday, May 8, 2009, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar confirmed our worst fears for his tenure at the Interior Department: He announced that he will adopt Bush's polar bear extinction plan -- a "special rule" sharply limiting protections for the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act -- as his own.

Please sign the petition to ask Secretary Salazar to reconsider this damaging and disappointing decision

The petition is located at: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1725

Bats Need Urgent Help, Contact Fish and Wildlife

Preliminary reports this summer all tell the same story: Several species of bats are virtually gone in the Northeast. White-nose syndrome, the disease that has been wiping out bats over the past two winters, is expected to strike new areas this winter, including some of the world's largest bat caves in Tennessee, Kentucky, and other southern and midwestern states. Bats are on a clear trajectory toward oblivion.

Yet from the beginning, the nation's lead wildlife agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has failed to respond with the urgency that's desperately needed to save bats from complete catastrophe. At least a million and a half bats are already dead, but the Service has yet to develop a plan of action or create a position for white-nose syndrome coordination.

Sam Hamilton, the agency's new director, must put white-nose syndrome at the top of his list. Please: Send a message today urging him to create a white-nose syndrome plan now to prevent the complete unraveling of America's bat populations. Bats cannot afford another winter like the two we've just witnessed.

Visit http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27802 to take action.

Preserve Tejon Ranch as a new Natural Park

Please take action today to help preserve southern California's largest and most valuable unprotected natural area, Tejon Ranch.

Learn more at the Center for Biological Diversity, and take action with me.

Save Southern and Midwestern Freshwater Turtles From Harvesting

Please, help the Center for Biological Diversity end all commercial harvest of wild freshwater turtles in Florida and across the South and Midwest by sending a message now.

Here's what's going on: Harvests and exports of wild turtles have skyrocketed recently. Herpetologists are reporting drastic reductions in turtle numbers across a dozen southern and midwestern states, including Florida, and the disappearance of many species, particularly southern map turtles. These turtles are harvested for domestic and international food markets. And they're not even a safe food source: Turtles sold as food are often contaminated with mercury, PCBs, and pesticides.

To help save plummeting turtle populations, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas to ban commercial turtle harvest in public and private waters in 2008; this year we also petitioned Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the last states with unrestricted commercial harvest or weak harvest regulations.

Encourage Florida and other states to adopt sensible stewardship of freshwater turtles and propose and finalize harvest restrictions by this summer. Your message will be sent to wildlife and health departments and governors of the remaining states with weak turtle harvest regulations, encouraging them to give these marvelous animals a break and end commercial harvest.

Taking action is easy.

Help Ban Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Right now, there are 108 pending permits for mountaintop removal coal mining projects that would irreversibly blast forests down to bedrock and annihilate streams. Just last week, without making the documents publicly available, the Obama administration approved one of the only six permits that had been held up, clearing the way for an 800-acre mine that will fill in eight valleys. The mountains, streams, and communities of the fragile Appalachian region of the eastern United States need your voice.

Mountaintop removal has already destroyed more than 1.5 million acres of hardwood forest and 1,200 miles of streams in a region that boasts the world's highest diversity of salamanders, crayfishes, and freshwater mussels. During election season, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama called mountaintop removal mining an "environmental disaster." But now, rather than stand up to coal-mining interests and put an end to this disaster, Obama's administration has green-lighted the issuance of permits for mountaintop removal in Appalachia -- one of the most important biodiversity areas in the United States -- while simultaneously promising "to ensure mining activities will occur in a more environmentally protective way in or near Appalachian streams."

To be clear: There's no environmentally sound way to blow up a mountain and then dump it into a stream.

The Center for Biological Diversity is working around the clock to take on dirty energy projects and stop destructive mining that harms our nation's wildlife and wildlands. Please join the Center's efforts by sending a letter to your congressional representatives.

Take action today by visiting the Center for Biological Diversity.

Tell Congress: Strengthen Climate Bill

At the end of June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a much-touted global warming bill called the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Tragically, the bill contains greenhouse gas reduction targets so low that it will give us a less-than 50-percent chance of avoiding runaway global warming. The Act relies on an untested and loophole-ridden future cap-and-trade system, while repealing many of the most effective Clean Air Act tools that can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions today.

The Senate is now considering its own version of the climate bill. If that bill is passed and reconciled with the House version, it becomes the law of the land. The political landscape is difficult. Polluting industries have colossal power and financial resources, and have used the process to achieve a long wishlist of handouts and exemptions. They have weakened the House bill item by item and day by day.

With the fate of the planet in the balance, we cannot allow this to happen in the Senate. We need a groundswell of support for real climate action like never before.

The battle in the Senate will be fast and furious, and we need your help. You can help: Tell your Senator to introduce a climate bill that sets scientifically based greenhouse gas reduction targets and maintains the ability of the Clean Air Act to preserve the lives and health of our children and fellow species.

Take action with me.

Help Protect the Grand Canyon From New Uranium Mining

Your help is needed today to protect Grand Canyon from new uranium mining.

Global energy markets have caused a sharp increase in uranium-mining claims and exploration on public lands near Grand Canyon National Park. New uranium development threatens to degrade wildlife habitat, industrialize otherwise wild and iconic landscapes, and contaminate the water that feeds the Grand Canyon's springs and the Colorado River -- water that means survival to millions of people and to the Grand Canyon's most unique and endangered species.

The Grand Canyon deserves better. Please join us in calling on Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to enact protections to prevent new uranium claims and exploration around Grand Canyon National Park -- and to require the Bureau of Land Management to conduct rigorous new reviews for old mines to ensure that they adhere to the highest levels of federal environmental compliance.

Take action here.

U.S. Military Base in Okinawa Threatens Rare Dugongs

The U.S. and Japanese governments are planning to destroy the best remaining habitat of a unique and critically endangered marine mammal — the Okinawa dugong. This dugong, a relative of the manatee, is a rare marine mammal that feeds in the seagrass beds and coral reefs of Okinawa's Henoko Bay. Fewer than 50 individual dugongs remain in an area described by the United Nations Environment Program as "the most important known dugong habitat in Japan." If the U.S. military proceeds with its Camp Schwab construction plan this exceptional, rare animal will lose the best habitat it has left and begin its last slide toward extinction.

Taking action is easy. Visit the Center for Biological Diversity's activist campaigns.

Learn more about dugongs.

You can Repower America

http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/ic/87zlnyhalb64o1/Sg Our dangerous reliance on carbon-based fuels like oil and coal has hurt our economy, hindered our national security and contributed to the climate crisis. Now there's a solution as big as our problems -- Repower America with 100% clean electricity within 10 years. We can create millions of American jobs to boost our economy, make our nation safer and help solve the climate crisis. Go to http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/ic/87zlnyhalb64o1/Sg to find out more.

Oneness Day Petition to the United Nations

I've just signed a petition that respectfully calls on the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day in observance of the Oneness of all of humanity with God/Universe and life.

If you agree we are all One, that life is sacred...to be cherished and shared peacefully...I hope you'll join me in signing the Oneness Day petition. It takes only a minute of your time and will make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.

To learn more about, and sign the Petition, just click on this link http://humanitysteam.org/onenessdaypetition.

And be sure to Tell a Friend, by clicking on this link: http://act.humanitysteam.org/t/2014/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=152

National Homeless Animal Day

PetSmart Charities cont.

Rescue Waggin'

This program was created by PetSmart Charities to help save the lives of homeless dogs and puppies by transporting them from areas of high pet population (where they face certain euthanasia) to shelters where adoptable dogs are in demand.

Learn more.

Just a Buck, Change Their Luck t-shirt

Donate to PetSmart Charities and receive this organic cotton t-shirt.

Spay and Neuter Initiatives.

PetSmart Charities partners with animal welfare agencies across the U.S. and Canada to support their efforts to end pet overpopulation. Although adoptions are a critical part or the solution, this problem cannot be solved by adoptions alone. Addressing the root cause of too many unwanted pets will require systemic change.

Each year 6-8 million homeless pets enter animal shelters, and 3-4 million of those are euthanized due to lack of available space. This epidemic inflow of unwanted pets strains shelter resources, threatens public safety, and costs taxpayers millions each year.

One dog or cat can have up to 20 offspring per year. These unwanted pets enter shelters and are likely to be killed as well as cause the death of other pets because there just isn't enough space to hold them all.

Spay and neuter saves lives. It's that simple.

PetSmart Charities

Emergency Relief Waggin Program.

PetSmart Charities provides emergency relief to assist pets in three different types of situations:

1. Large-scale disaster (hurricane, earthquake, and other natural catastrophes);

2. Multiple animal rescue/man-made disaster;

3. One animal victim of abuse/violence.

The emergency relief program is possible because of generous donations. Please visit the Emergency Relief Donations page and make a contribution for future relief efforts.

Just a Buck, Chage Their Luck tote bag

Donate to PetSmart Charities and receive this organic tote bag.

Home Retention Program.

Pet retention is a critical part of the long-term solution for ending unnecessary euthanasia. PetSmart Charities supports programs that help people keep pets in their home by providing families with the resources, tools and instruction they need. This prevents them from contributing to pet overpopulation by abandoning their pet or giving it up for adoption.

August 20th is National Homeless Animal Day

PetSmart Charities works to improve the quality of life for all companion animals by creating and supporting programs that save the lives of homeless pets and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.

Adoption Program.

PetSmart Charities partners with thousands of animal welfare agencies in the U.S. and Canada to help the agencies find life-long, loving homes for their pets through adoptions.

Through this, the organization helps save a homeless pet's life every two minutes.

Searh online for adoptable pets.

Please, adopt your pet instead.

Ten Ways to Help Animals in Your Community

1. Learn how to report animal cruelty.
One of the best things you can do to help animals in your community is to keep a list of people, including a humane law enforcement officer, a teacher, or veterinarian who can help you report animal cruelty.

2. Start a neighborhood watch program.
Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors - abuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local wildlife, dogs left in hot cars and other signs of abuse.

3. Volunteer at your local shelter or animal rescue organization.

Volunteering at your local shelter is a great way to make a difference in the lives of many animals. From walking dogs and organizing fundraising events to fostering abused or frightened animals, shelters across the country are in desperate need of volunteers.

See all 10 ways to help animals in your community. Visit the ASPCA. It only takes one simple action to make a difference.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Top Ten Ways to Help Your Local Shelter

1. Go to school.
Dog school, that is. Grab a handful of tasty treats, find a suitable canine and get to class. Helping teach shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable.

2. Get your shelter online.
Can you give your community's homeless animals the "cybershelter" advantage? This is a wonderful way for teens who aren't old enough to become volunteers to get involved. They can take photos and write descriptions of the animals and help keep current the shelter's online list of available animals.

3. Ask your shelter to adopt ASPCA's Meet Your Match.
A program expertly designed to help adopters select the right pet for them. The program's Adopter Survey and Canine-ality, Puppy-ality, or Feline-ality Assessment and fun color-coding system fit together like the pieces of a puzzle, creating picture-perfect adoptions for shelter animals and their new owners.

Visit the ASPCA's website for the rest of the Top Ten Ways to Help Your Local Shelter.

Best Friend Forgotten

A behind-the-scenes look at homeless animals in America.

It stars a loveable dog named Clover and an adorable cat called Oreo. Best Friend Forgotten, a compelling documentary that follows Clover and Oreo through two different US shelters.

The movie takes a behind-the-scenes look at the crisis of pet overpopulation. The statistics are staggering: in every community in America, dogs and cats by the hundreds and thousands are left homeless through no fault of their own. Only a fraction of these hopeful animals find good homes.

Clover and Oreo are two such hopefuls, examples of the kinds of highly adoptable pets that make their way into US shelters every day. Clover was taken in from the streets of Los Angeles while Oreo was found in a Chicago tenement building. After being rescued by animal control officers, each is taken to a local shelter.

Once there, Clover and Oreo face a heartbreaking reality - less than half of the 6-8 million animals who enter US shelters each year are adopted. This is not for a lack of trying. "Animal shelters provide care and, whenever possible, loving homes for homeless pets. Too often, they must instead provide a humane death. Due to a lack of appropriate resources, a shortage of families looking to adopt, a constant influx of unwanted animals from the community, and a lack of targeted spay and neuter programs, millions of innocent animals are euthenized annually," says Kate Pullen, The HSUS Director of Animal Sheltering.

This tragedy, however, is completely preventable. But only if people become aware of the crisis.
The plague of pet overpopulation is invisible to most people, and this movie will bring it home to them.

My hope is that this movie will motivate you to go to your local shelter and take home a loving animal companion. For those who have dogs and cats at home, I hope the film will encourage you to spay and neuter your pets.

Homeless Cat

Acterra - Action for a sustainable earth

Acterra was formed in 2000 by the merger of two of the region's (San Francisco area) most respected and effective environmental organizations: the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (founded in 1970) and Bay Area Action (formed in 1990). Their long history of innovation and partnerships enables them to draw on the wisdom and experience of two generations of environmental leaders. Their mission is to bring people together to create local solutions that enhance the natural environment.

Please support Acterra by making a donation. Acterra works to empower and inspire local residents to take action for a healthy planet. Your gift allows them to reach more individuals and communities, providing hands-on opportunities to live more sustainably, become environmental leaders, and restore local lands. Your gift is tax-deductable to the fullest extent of the law.

ACTerraGreen helps people work together to take action against global warming

This fun interactive program, formerly known as the Cool Campaign program, cuts though all the noise an confusion about what we should be doing to save the planet. It is a grass-roots, community-based approach to reducing our energy use based on simple, easy actions. By uniting communities in a shared effort to fight global warming, ACTerraGreen also helps people feel connected, energized and more positive about their ability to impact the future and support the environment.

ACTerraGreen is a simple, effective program thats helps people reduce their carbon footprint. The campaign invites everyone in a community to join in a group effort by pledging to change at least one energy use practice per month - although many will make numerous changes.

A Green Team, made up of community members who are passionate about the environment, manages the program. Acterra trains the team how to use their unique, off-the-shelf program and provides support throughout the campaign. The Green Team manages an online community, including a website and discussion groups, and provides action steps, helpful suggestions and feedback. Participants come together to share ideas and support each other.

Every month the community is encouraged to try various energy-saving "challenges". Members try out the suggestions at home and annonymously report back their successes. Everyone's results are counted up and shared at the end of each month, so everyone can see the group's progress and positive environmental impact of the campaign. Fun social and educational outreach events are also part of the program.

How effective is ACTerraGreen?

ACTerraGreen is tailored to every community who uses it. The website and other materials can only go so far in educating and motivating people, it is the energy of the Green Team, the interest of the community members, and the impact of engaging in this extended conservation on energy use that makes the critical difference.

ACTerraGreen has been run in local public and private schools and religious congregations. In one school, for example, 165 families representing 75% of the households-participated in the Green Campaign and they performed over 1500 energy-reducing changes to their lifestyle habits. In another school, 260 families performed over 2500 changes. Not only did energy-reduction become an ongoing focus for these participants, they felt better about the future of the environment and their ability to make a positive difference in reducing global warming.

Unfortuneately, I was unable to find a way to join one of these comminities online. However, for more information on starting an ACTerraGreen camapign in your community contact Ellen Wilkinson: ellen@acterra.org or call 650-962-9876 x353.