by Colleen Beaty, Senior Research Assistant, Wildlife Habitat Council Earth Day is an annual celebration of the Earth and its natural environment, observed on April 22 of each year.  The goal behind Earth Day celebrations is to foster appreciation and awareness of the Earth’s natural environment and the threats to clean air, clean water, and biodiversity.  Earth Day originated in 1970 when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson called for an environmental teach-in.  The movement grew on its own and soon blossomed into an awareness-raising celebration held in several major cities across the United States.  It is now observed by 175 countries. [more...]

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), together with conservation partners such as WHC-member Bat Conservation International (BCI), have come together to designate 2012 as the Year of the Bat.  The Year of the Bat was created as a way to celebrate bats’ benefits, dispel myths about bats, and promote bat conservation.   There are approximately 1,200 species of bats worldwide, and they live in a wide variety of habitats. Although often misunderstood, bats provide many benefits to human societies.  Bats eat many insects regarded as pests, including mosquitos and agricultural pests.  Large bat colonies can also attract tourists, boosting the [more...]

The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is proud to announce their new partnership with Summerhill Wines and the Get to Know Society, an international non-profit organization dedicated to creating a stronger relationship between young people and the environment. Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Canada’s largest 100% organic winery, has been committed to environmental conservation and sustainable approaches to wine production since its founding in 1991. They have partnered with Robert Bateman, Canada’s most renowned wildlife artist, to release a series of award-winning organic wines with labels featuring Bateman artwork. Summerhill Pyramid Winery is showing their commitment to preserving the environment and connecting people [more...]

Toshiba America, Inc. (TAI) became a new member of the Wildlife Habitat Council in August, 2011. TAI is the U.S. holding company for Tokyo-based Toshiba Group, a global manufacturer and provider of services in digital products, electronic devices, social infrastructure systems and home appliances.  Today Toshiba operates a global network of more than 740 companies with 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing $68 billion as March 31, 2011. TABS-TPD, Mitchell, SD Toshiba Group has developed an ambitious plan to achieve Environmental Vision 2050, Toshiba’s view of the world in 2050 where its technological advancements and sound environmental principles ensure [more...]

Free or Low-Cost Resources May Be Available Through a special partnership of the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), Monarch Watch and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, WHC programs in the northeast and Midwest United States may be able to receive free or low-cost seeds, low-cost plugs (small plants) and expert advice on species selection from Monarch Watch  Director Chip Taylor. This offer is limited-time and available only in selected states. Click here to view the flyer for details on eligible locations and the upcoming informational webinar. Contact bbtm@monarchwatch.org with questions.

Volunteers from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), based in Silver Spring, Maryland, spent five hours on November 18, 2011, cutting and pulling Chinese wisteria from a dense and expansive infestation in lower Long Branch. This is one of just two sites in the county where Weed Warriors are actively battling this highly aggressive vine. After cutting down a large swath of these shrub-high plants (which also climb trees), volunteers pulled many of the long roots that run just below the ground underneath a carpet of English ivy. Some of these runners were as long as twenty feet! A soaking rain earlier [more...]

Monday, October 31, 2011, marked the completion of Montgomery County, Maryland’s 2011 Walk & Ride Challenge. A group of staff of the Wildlife Habitat Council’s (WHC) main office in Silver Spring, Maryland, participated in the challenge, which ran from October 10-28, 2011. The challenge aimed to encourage employees in parts of Montgomery County to incorporate walking into their daily routine by considering alternative commute modes, like public transit, carpooling, biking, and walking, to driving alone and sitting in traffic. The Challenge was run in partnership with the North Bethesda Transportation Center, Bethesda Transportation Solutions, and Montgomery County Commuter Services. WHC [more...]

Environmental educators from throughout North America had a new opportunity to explore participation in Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) programs when WHC’s education department attended the North American Association of Environmental Education conference October 13-14. Thanks to a sponsorship from Waste Management, WHC had a space on an exhibit floor that was open to the conference’s approximately 1,000 attendees, who represented schools, nature centers, other nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. WHC educators helped grade school teachers to identify Corporate Lands for LearningSM (CLL) and Wildlife at WorkSM programs in their neighborhoods and discussed student research opportunities with college-level educators. Representatives of [more...]