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Reston, VA (April 14, 2010) - New Jersey Audubon Society, New Jersey's leading conservation organization, and the National Wildlife Federation have joined forces to tackle today's pressing conservation challenges. NWF's Board of Directors voted to add New Jersey Audubon Society as the 47th state affiliate during its 74th annual meeting, held last week in Houston."Our partnership with the National Wildlife Federation will help us better protect New Jersey wildlife and precious natural resources to the benefit of New Jersey citizens, from Cape May to Sussex counties," said Tom Gilmore, president of New Jersey Audubon. "Our organizations will share expertise, best practices and resources to ensure that New Jersey's wildlife and open spaces can be enjoyed for generations to come. We also will be closely coordinating our efforts to connect children and families to nature, a top priority for both of our organizations." "We are delighted to welcome New Jersey Audubon into the Federation's family as our 47th affiliate," said Larry Schweiger, president & CEO of National Wildlife Federation. "NJ Audubon Society is an historic conservation leader in New Jersey, and our common efforts to restore and protect wildlife and its habitat, combat global warming and connect people with nature make this a natural affiliation. We're excited to bring New Jersey Audubon Society's influential conservation voice to our national efforts, and to support their state conservation work."Working to make New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife, and 'develop, encourage, and support sound conservation practices, programs, and legislation,' New Jersey Audubon has successfully outlasted a previous period of economic uncertainty - the Great Depression - and went on to sound the alarm about the threats of DDT, end the gunning of hawks in Cape May, establish the Pinelands Protection Act, save our wetlands, and fight for Highlands Protection.NWF affiliates are independent organizations that choose to affiliate with NWF. This partnership does not change New Jersey Audubon's strong independent tradition dating back to its creation in 1897. Affiliates in each region work together and with partners to advance conservation and protect the region's unique natural treasures. Affiliates also serve on NWF's Board of Directors and create NWF's policies. New Jersey is part of NWF's Northeast region, one of nine such regions throughout the United States. The Northeast region includes New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. "I have been working with New Jersey Audubon for 19 years on a range of key conservation initiatives, so I know both the quality of the organization and how well our two organizations' missions align," said Curtis Fisher, NWF Northeast regional executive director. "New Jersey Audubon will be NWF's largest state affiliate and we expect that this partnership will lead to real improvements in the quality of New Jersey's precious environment that New Jersey citizens want to see protected for generations to come." "This is exciting news for New Jersey Audubon - and even greater news for the environment," said Pete Dunne, vice president of New Jersey Audubon. "Our affiliation with National Wildlife Federation will augment and magnify our efforts to keep New Jersey a place where all residents can live the healthy and prosperous lives they richly deserve."National Wildlife Federation, founded 74 years ago, has four million members and supporters nationwide. Affiliate representatives elect the NWF Board of Directors and set the organization's policy objectives in the form of resolutions. NWF has 106,000 members and supporters in New Jersey. Reebok Indianapolis Colts 17 Austin Collie Blue Team Color Founded in 1897, the New Jersey Audubon Society is one of the oldest independent Audubon societies, with offices in Bernardsville, Cape May, Port Murray, and Trenton, and staff throughout New Jersey in 13 centers of activity, including stewardship of 34 sanctuaries. New Jersey Audubon has no connection with the National Audubon Society. Reebok Indianapolis Colts 31 Donald Brown Blue Team Color ###Contacts: Pete Dunne, New Jersey Audubon Society, pete.dunne@njaudubon.org, 609-861-0700 ext.12 Emily Maxwell, National Wildlife Federation, Reebok Buffalo Bills 83 Lee Evans Dark Blue , 802-222-1399 mobile