Editor's Note

Help Us Celebrate 60 Years!

Lisa Moore, Editorial Director
Conservation
Feb 04, 2022

On this issue's cover: Caught by a remote camera trap, a wild mountain lion pauses along a game trail in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming. Photograph by Charlie Hamilton James

SIX DECADES AGO, IN 1962, the National Wildlife Federation rolled out its first issue of National Wildlife^® magazine, giving nature a powerful new voice. Both practical and whimsical, that issue had articles about the beauty of backyard wildlife and how to feed birds and protect public lands. It explored ice fishing and weather forecasting, and included poems and quiz questions, including “How fast is a snail’s pace?” Answer: “The common garden snail can manage about 55 yards ... per hour, flat out.”

Lisa Moore, National Wildlife Editorial Director

We’ve changed over the years. In 1962, the first cover said “Dedicated to the wise use of our natural resources.” A few years later, that statement changed to say “Dedicated to improving the quality of our environment”—signaling a shift toward greater stewardship. And today, we offer content that reflects a more diverse society in keeping with our mission to unite all Americans in ensuring wildlife thrive.

Help us celebrate our birthday! Email me a photo of yourself with a favorite issue or tell me about an article that inspired you to help wildlife. We’ll publish some replies online later this year. NWF member Tom Reilly of Georgia earlier sent me a quote that I love: “Our ultimate goal in nature is to reach a point where we no longer know where nature stops and we start.” This captures our interconnectivity with the natural world, which this magazine has honored for 60 years—and will continue to honor in the years ahead.

SHARE YOUR VIEWS: nweditor@nwf.org or @MooreWildlife