Page 5 - NWF November Updates

History and Heritage

In 1930’s America,
drought, depression,
and illegal poaching
had already resulted

in significant decline
in natural resources
and wildlife. The
impassioned writings
of political cartoonist
J.N. “Ding” Darling

mirrored the concerns
of hunters, anglers,
birders, sportsmen,
farmers, and
conservationists, who
together influenced

President Franklin D.
Roosevelt to convene
the North American
Wildlife Conference.
Its members returned
home to organize
affiliates in their own

states, becoming the
backbone of the
Federation. A new
organization, soon
renamed the National

Wildlife Federation,
was formed to call
attention to wildlife
issues and demand
action. The state federations that soon formed became the first NWF affiliates and the
foundation of NWF’s development into the nation’s largest grassroots conservation
organization. Today, they gather yearly at an Annual Meeting, providing the governance,

vision, and initiative needed to achieve our shared conservation goals.