National Wildlife Federation gets Tamed

The National Wildlife Federation has long been known for it's dedication to improving the environment. They work to conserve wildlife lands, protect endangered species, and educate the public on what we can do to protect the Earth. Since 1936, NWF has been a driving force to help develop policies that help people and families reconnect with nature, and preserve lands and resources before they are lost forever.

In 2010, a new campaign called "Be Out There" was launched. The hope was to help combat childhood obesity and get families outside; moving and interacting with nature while supporting education about environmental issues and sustainability.

Families are encouraged to go hiking, or explore nearby natural resources, visit the playground or at least go out in their own yards regularly. Towards that end, NWF announced early in January that they were partnering with Scott's MiracleGro.

Scott's MiracleGro is well known in the gardening world, both organic and nonorganic home gardeners know the company by reputation. The difference is, the latter avoids using MiracleGro products due to concerns about the chemical composition and weed killers used in their products.

It's rather obvious what Scott's Miracle Gro stands to gain by this partnership. Partnering with one of the largest and well known environmental advocacy groups is bound to raise any company's image. Many consumers grew up reading Ranger Rick, they proudly wear National Wildlife Federation gear and paste NWF branded address labels on their Christmas cards. In a world where there are increasing concerns about chemicals and weed killers and genetic modification, along with ground water safety and confusion over organic versus local versus conventionally grown produce, consumers are eyeing the products used in their own yards with a more judicious eye. Any association with the well known NWF logo is going to win quite a few customers.

But what does the NWF have to gain? Money is the obvious answer. They will also be given some voice in the development of products, and Scott's MiracleGro claims to value the opinion of NWF on the impact of chemicals used in lawn care products and other gardening solutions. National Wildlife Federation might also reach a larger audience, the families who are too tired to care about sustainability and simply want their yard to grow. Their hope is that through the partnership, they can reach out to more individuals in their desire to increase education and sustanable living.

The question is whether it will hep or hurt the environment in the longrun. A quick visit to the MiracleGro website leads one to plenty of information on gardening, and plenty of suggestions as to which products contain the best chemicals to address a problem.

There are natural solutions included, too. But if the problem gets too much...there's a chemical solution.

There are some inherent concerns. To most, one of the biggest chemical garden care producers and the biggest environmental advocacy groups seem like polar opposites. Most environmental advocates are concerned with virtually all of the chemical solutions offered by Scott's. It's hard to imagine that a company who earns their living selling these products are just as concerned about their use as the rest of us are.

Scott's is concerned about natural areas and gardens. They, like NWF, want people to be outside and enjoying their yards. They are interested in drawing 'good' wildlife like songbirds into people's yards. They share concerns about global warming and the massive impact of issues like oil spills.

But their solutions are what worry organic consumers. It's not that we oppose discussion. I think that it's a wonderful idea for NWF to be included in the development and improvement of gardening products.

But, like others, I am very concerned about the impact of an organization once respected for it's work with wildlife to actually partner with a company that earns a living off of products that potentially harm the environment. To Scott's 30 million customers, the partnership will be circumstantial evidence that Scott's products are 'safe'. Safe and endorsed by NWF, even if not every product is endorsed by them.

As many others have pointed out, it's ironic and disturbing that a company who just a year ago was encouraging individuals to certify their gardens as a wildlife habitat has now partnered with a company that sells products that would not be welcome in those certified wildlife habitats.

In the end, only time will tell if it's going to help or hurt the environment in the long run. But it seems obvious that the National Wildlife Federation has just sacrificed many of their supporters in hopes of maybe reaching more.

On January 29th, The National Wildlife Federation announced that new information had emerged regarding a legal settlement that made the partnership not viable. They are dissolving their connections with Scott's Miracle Grow as quickly as possible.

Although the situation has changed, I've chosen to leave this hub up. I am glad that NWF responded to the concerns of their supporters, and that they looked deeper into the relationship they were embarking on before any final commitment was made. However, that the partnership of two companies with opposing needs came so close to completing is still a grave concern. While Scott's Miracle Grow may want to minimize their impact on the environment, they can't support a group that opposes the use of many of their products. And the NWF would have trouble adamently opposing a generous sponsor.

I hope that, despite this snafu, Scott's does follow through with working together with NWF to find safe, environmentally friendly formulations for their products. I just don't think a formal partnership is the ideal way to do that.