Number: 2014-03
WHEREAS, the most direct route to caring for the environment as an adult is participating in “wild nature activities” before age 11 and also childhood nature experiences while in the company of family members or significant adults fosters a bond with the natural world as a place of positive meaning that justifies persistent efforts to protect it; and
WHEREAS, National Wildlife Federation is working with the major influencers of children’s time, such as parents, schools and other institutions, to make the outdoors a bigger part of their everyday lives and is committed to sportsmen/women and youth through engagement in activities such as, but not limited to: fishing, camping, hunting, other nature-based outdoor recreational activities and the protection and restoration of fish and wildlife habitats; and
WHEREAS, National Wildlife Federation is uniquely situated by its federation structure to partner with its state affiliate organizations and other like-minded groups to provide outdoor conservation opportunities for adults and children and NWF history is rooted in bringing together individuals, organizations and agencies interested in the restoration and conservation of wildlife resources and has a tradition of welcoming, engaging and uniting diverse people and groups; and
WHEREAS, the majority of Americans are now using online technologies to form significant social connections and build relationships through peer-to peer sharing, learning and partnering and tapping into the “groundswell,” which is a social trend that demonstrates people are using technology to get the things they need and want to know more about from each other, instead of from companies; and
WHEREAS, National Wildlife Federation has the ability through social media platforms such as Wildlife Nation, Facebook, and other technologies, to marry the power of outdoor conservation opportunities with the movement building strength of online communities for the purpose of fostering the next generation of conservation stewards;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled May 1-3, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland, hereby urges parents and other significant adults in kid’s lives to, by their own example and through participation and engagement in outdoor conservation activities with youth, encourage the next generation of wildlife enthusiasts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the creation and use of online communities and technologies, such as Wildlife Nation, to increase affinity for wildlife through peer-to-peer relationship building and partnering and for the benefit of conservation and future generations.