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Federal policy might seem distant from the forests, rivers, and wildlife we care about but, as Bentley Johnson of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explains, its impact reaches straight into our daily lives.

From an executive order that resulted in higher(!) energy prices to bipartisan efforts that ensure the water coming from your tap is clean, Bentley reveals how political decisions ripple through ecosystems, economies, and communities alike.

He also reminds us that our power doesn’t end at the ballot box. Between elections, we can still shape the laws that protect clean air, renewable energy, and wild spaces- by showing up, speaking out, and holding leaders accountable.

If you’ve ever wondered how what happens in Washington affects us directly, this episode will connect those dots and help you see what you can be doing in between elections that can make a difference.

This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program Series! 

Highlights

• The real-world consequences of rolling back clean-energy and conservation laws.
• Bipartisan success stories- from PFAS cleanup to Great Lakes restoration- that prove cooperation is still possible.
• Why framing issues around health, cost, and community helps bridge divides.

What YOU Can Do

• Vote in every election, especially local ones. City and state leaders decide on wildlife corridors, pollution standards, and habitat funding. **CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR AREA IS HOLDING ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER 4TH.
• Check your representatives’ environmental records. Visit your state’s League of Conservation Voters or lcv.org/scorecard.
• Speak up between elections. Attend town halls, share your story, and comment on proposed environmental rule changes.
• Join or support local conservation and restoration projects. The federal picture changes, but local action keeps progress alive.
• Share success stories. Remind others that clean-energy projects, restored wetlands, and wildlife protections are working. Hope is contagious.

Resources

• Michigan LCV's Take Action page.
• MLCV's Action Hub
• Michigan LCV's Scorecard 
• Because Michigan LCV's scorecard is focused on Michigan, you may be interested in the national LCV's congressional scorecard where anyone in the country can look up their Members of Congress.
• We also talked about the greenhouse gas emissions reporting rollback. Here is a link to take action on that (it's a national effort but this link is unique for Michigan LCV so that if people use it to make a comment, they can get credit).
• Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) pro

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?