A New Leaf on Earth Day

Statement of Rodger Schlickeisen, President of Defenders of Wildlife

(04/22/2005) - WASHINGTON – Conservationists tend to be optimists, pure and simple. We need to be, before any of us can devote our time and our spirits to the protection of living nature, we have to know deep down not only that it is the right thing to do, but that our work today will benefit our children and grandchildren tomorrow. 

We have had plenty of reasons over the last four years to lose that optimism. The Bush Administration and its allies in Congress have launched the most concerted attack on the laws and ethical norms that protect our air, our water, our lands, and our wildlife in the history of the United States. In the face of this assault, we’ve won some big victories, but also suffered setbacks like the Senate’s recent 51-49 vote for the President’s plan to drill for oil in the biological heart of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 

The reason for my optimism on this 35th anniversary of Earth Day is simple: millions of Americans and people from around the world are fighting every day to protect our natural heritage. From Defenders’ more than 480,000 members and supporters, to the tens of thousands who have signed up to participate in the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund’s Earth Day “Virtual March on Washington,” conservationists everywhere are standing up every day to protect the creatures and places that make up our natural heritage. 

Every day, there are thousands more of us who not only care about the Earth, but who do something about it. That’s why I’m a conservationist and an optimist on this Earth Day 2005.

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Defenders of Wildlife is one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and habitat, and was named as one of America's Top 100 Charities by Worth magazine. With nearly 1 million members, supporters and electronic advocates, Defenders is an effective voice for wildlife and habitat. 

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Contact(s):

Brad DeVries, (202) 772-0237
William Lutz, (202) 772-0269