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Wildlife governance principles (WGPs) identify desirable governance characteristics for wildlife conservation in the United States (US). The types of institutional, ecological, and socio-cultural challenges that WGPs are designed to address also affect governance of public natural resources other than wildlife and in places other than the US. This raises the possibility that a similar set of governance principles might help natural resource professionals working in other resource contexts address the particular challenges they face. We describe the process by which we developed WGPs and offer seven practically oriented questions to help natural resource professionals ascertain whether a similar set of principles could improve governance in their context. In some contexts, minor modification of WGPs might be appropriate; in others, the process by which we developed WGPs could serve as a blueprint for formulating appropriate principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of cooperation among labor-environmental groups in the U.S. It explores the major aspects which affect the large number of progressive groups and movements as they apply to the cooperation between labor and environmental movements. It outlines the two aspects of the strategic orientation between labor-environmental interaction which is to develop a broad alliance against neoliberalism and to develop a radical grassroot coalition that will consider the environmental justice organizations. It examines the important reasons for the need to cooperate ecological works due to the efforts of the environment workers for the promotion of sustainable surroundings.

Discusses the lack of efforts to expand the stewardship of the National Park System to special landscapes in the United States. Consideration of the changing needs of the parks due to a shift in national priorities; Need for an improved public commitment to preservation and conservation of natural resources; Efforts of national parks to celebrate the wonders of nature and achievements of conservationists in the U.S; Impact of the accession of Interior Secretary James Watt in 1981; Increase of commercialism regarding visitor services at park facilities.

Presents updates related to environmental protection in the United States as of March 1, 1982. Environmental budget proposal of environmental organizations for the fiscal year 1983 under the Reagan administration; Ratification of a treaty on the conservation of living resources in Antarctica; Restriction on the use of public lands with Compound 1080, a predator poison used by ranchers to kill coyotes.

The article focuses on the role of the United States Congress and its groups in achieving established goals and policies for protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. The U.S. Congress has postponed action on several important bills and proposals until the next session. The Congressional body of the U.S. is divided into three groups. The first one is of individuals who oppose to strong environmental protection programs. The second group is the largest one which consists of U.S. Republicans. The second group generally votes with the President of the U.S. The second group is gradually shifting to a more pro-environmental stand as the election approaches. The third and the last group comprises individuals who try to maintain the momentum of the past decade.

The article discusses how a Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies survey of 1,000 adults nationwide found that Americans are seriously concerned about the country's environmental health and want more political action on the environment. A majority of voters--84 percent--say a candidate's stance on the environment will be a factor in how they decide to vote this November. Poll results indicate that three out of five Americans rate the quality of the country's overall environment as "only fair" or "poor," while just 3 percent say the environment is "excellent." American opinion of global environmental conditions is even more striking: Three-fourths rate global conditions as "only fair" or "poor", and 63 percent say conditions are worsening. According to the poll, 67 percent of Americans say the U.S. government does not do enough to protect the environment. Fifty-six percent of Americans, especially younger voters, say that the candidates should talk more about their environmental plans.

The article provides observations regarding the reputation of the Republican Party for supporting environmental policy. At the presidential level, this record goes back at least to Theodore Roosevelt's leadership in protecting more than 350,000 square miles of natural areas. Republican presidents appointed some of the most outstanding civil servants ever to advance the cause of environmental quality in America: Russell Train, William Ruckleshaus, Lee Thomas, and William Reilly come readily to mind. The nation's environment has also historically benefited from the leadership of enlightened Republican legislators, ranging from John Saylor's pioneering work on the Wilderness Act, through Barry Goldwater's promotion of solar energy, to John Chaffee's championing of safe drinking water. The behavior of contemporary Washington's Republican establishment can only be described as a radical departure from the party's traditions. One example, the current Bush administration is pushing an energy strategy that violates traditional Republican values at every turn: It would expand federal authority over land use, restrict states' rights to hold polluters accountable, and increase federal subsidies. Other administration initiatives on toxic pollutants, forest reserves, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are equally radical departures from the precedents set by an earlier generation of truly conservative and conservation-minded Republican leaders. Against this unrepresentative, radically antienvironmental record of the majority of Washington's current crop of Republicans, a small, beleaguered band of "Green Elephants" has continued to stand for traditionally conservative principles of conservation and environmental protection.

The author offers his views regarding the aesthetic aspects of the environment in order to combat environmental pollution in the U.S. According to him, good architectural planning may contribute how people interact with nature by capturing its likeness and mood to keep an individual's sense of balance. He also suggests that people should preserve historical buildings, sites and districts that link to their heritage and strengthen their love for the environment.