RESTON, Va. — The National Wildlife Federation urged federal, state, and local governments to assess how their procurement policies and practices can contribute to more responsible sourcing practices while taking steps to protect forests and native vegetation, and supporting long-term sustainability for people, business, and the planet. The resolution also called on decision-makers to adopt legislation to support thorough due diligence related to imports, which will incentivize the production and sourcing of commodities that support sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.

“It is difficult for consumers and government procurement agencies to track products and ingredients through complex supply chains, and thus the origins of those commodities that may contribute to deforestation, especially tropical deforestation, remain unknown to most buyers,” the resolution said. “The largest driver of tropical deforestation is expansion of agriculture to produce exports such as cattle, palm oil, soy, cocoa and rubber and certain commercial and financial institutions based in the United States operate at a global scale in the supply chains for these commodities. These issues directly speak to equity and justice, including the need to center Indigenous and people of color in advancing this work.”

The resolution further states that forests and native vegetation are critical for climate stability and the survival of wildlife, including migratory species. Deforestation in many cases has threatened the land rights and safety of Indigenous Peoples, and has been linked with human rights violations, including child labor and forced labor.

This resolution, adopted by the National Wildlife Federation’s 52 state and territorial affiliates, was one of three resolutions adopted at the virtual 86th Annual Meeting. The Federation also approved resolutions calling for:

• Investments in natural climate solutions that support and enhance biodiversity and the creation of a national carbon price that recognizes the natural carbon-sequestering benefits of natural climate solutions; and,
• States to create and make available hunting and fishing regulations in Spanish or other languages.

Conservation Achievement Awards

The National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Awards began in 1966. Since then, the National Wildlife Federation has celebrated individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting wildlife through education, advocacy, communication and on-the-ground conservation. 

This year’s awardees were:

• Affiliate of the Year: Conservation Northwest (Washington State)
• Conservation Leadership: Dr. Douglas Tallamy, Pennsylvania
• Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership, Affiliate: Eric Stiles, President and CEO, New Jersey Audubon
• Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership, National Wildlife Federation Staff: Hillary Barbour, Director of Gift Planning, National Wildlife Federation
• National Conservation Special Achievement: Bob and Barbara Kipfer, Missouri
• National Conservation Young Leader Award: Deja Perkins, North Carolina
• Environmental Justice 21^st Century Awards: Koa Kaulukukui-Barbee, Miguel Ordeñana, Oday Salim, Keith Ward, and the Tribal Partnerships Program