Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Tom Wathen
New Report Outlines 10-Year Plan to Conserve 30% of U.S. Lands and Waters
Broad engagement and public collaboration, especially with Indigenous communities, is critical to success Article May 7, 2021 Share Read Mode New Report Outlines 10-Year Plan to Conserve 30% of U.S. Lands and Waters As government and conservation leaders worldwide work to significantly increase the protection and conservation of the planet over the next decade, national leaders must do their part at home as well.
New Report Outlines 10-Year Plan to Conserve 30% of U.S. Lands and Waters
Broad engagement and public collaboration, especially with Indigenous communities, is critical to success Article May 7, 2021 Share Read Mode New Report Outlines 10-Year Plan to Conserve 30% of U.S. Lands and Waters As government and conservation leaders worldwide work to significantly increase the protection and conservation of the planet over the next decade, national leaders must do their part at home as well.
The US has a significant flooding problem - Congress can help
As Congress works to craft comprehensive infrastructure legislation, lawmakers have a golden opportunity to address a major issue that affects every state in the country and costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year: flooding. © Getty Images The US has a significant flooding problem — Congress can help Flood-related events are the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., causing more than $900 billion in damage and losses since 2000.
The U.S. Has A Significant Flooding Problem; Here's How Congress Can Help
As Congress works to craft comprehensive infrastructure legislation, lawmakers have a golden opportunity to address a major issue that affects every state in the country and costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year: flooding. Flood-related events are the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., causing more than $900 billion in damage and losses since 2000.
The US has a significant flooding problem - Congress can help
As Congress works to craft comprehensive infrastructure legislation, lawmakers have a golden opportunity to address a major issue that affects every state in the country and costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year: flooding. Flood-related events are the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., causing more than $900 billion in damage and losses since 2000.
Bipartisan bill would strengthen nation's infrastructure - reducing flood risk
This year’s hurricane season has been unrelenting for the Gulf and Atlantic coasts — flooding homes, businesses, schools, roads and other places of community vitality, and leaving costly devastation and stunted economies behind. Although increasingly intense and frequent storms are to blame, so are our national flood policies, which remain woefully out of date and fail to support flood-prone communities.
Bipartisan Bill Would Strengthen Nation's Infrastructure in Face of Increased Flood Risk
Opinion October 30, 2020 Share Read Mode Bill to Strengthen Infrastructure in Face of Increased Flood Risk This year’s hurricane season has been unrelenting for the Gulf and Atlantic coasts—flooding homes, businesses, schools, roads and other places of community vitality, and leaving costly devastation and stunted economies behind.
Bipartisan Bill Would Strengthen Nation's Infrastructure in Face of Increased Flood Risk
Opinion October 30, 2020 Share Read Mode Bill to Strengthen Infrastructure in Face of Increased Flood Risk This year’s hurricane season has been unrelenting for the Gulf and Atlantic coasts—flooding homes, businesses, schools, roads and other places of community vitality, and leaving costly devastation and stunted economies behind.
Free-flowing rivers help ecosystems, wildlife, people and the economy
Faced with the many risks and tragedies of this challenging spring of 2020, people have sought solace wherever they can find it, and for many that has been in the beauty of nature, from standing by a stream in their nearby park to contemplating the grandeur of America’s public lands and rivers.
In the West, wildlife crossings save lives and money
Across the American West, a conflict has been quietly escalating for decades, leaving thousands of people injured and millions of animals dead. But the parties in this engagement aren’t out to harm each other; they’re mostly just trying to get where they’re going.
In the West, Wildlife Crossings Save Lives and Money
Across the American West, a conflict has been quietly escalating for decades, leaving thousands of people injured and millions of animals dead. But the parties in this engagement aren’t out to harm each other; they’re mostly just trying to get where they’re going.
Plan to lift roadless rule in Alaska's Tongass national forest threatens economy
The Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska — one of the world’s last intact temperate rainforests — helps feed Americans across the country, enriches the environment, and contributes to a tourism economy that surrounding communities depend on. So it’s not surprising that two-thirds of voters in the area around the forest oppose logging these lands or allowing it only in areas where logging roads already exist. But that didn’t stop the Trump administration from proposing, on Oct.
Conservation gains in Senate bill would help all Americans
The U.S., it seems, has entered an era in which record-breaking hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters are more the norm than the exception. But the news isn’t all bad.
How to fish without disrupting the food web
Here in Washington, on stretches of the Potomac River minutes from the halls of Congress, anglers have recently wrapped up a highly anticipated annual ritual: fishing for shad, which run up the river from coastal waters every spring. Enthusiasts of every age experience the anticipation of what could come: That moment when technique and luck merge into a bite on the line.
Conserving wildlife migrations is part science, part policy
The wide-open spaces of the American West contain one of our nation’s greatest assets: a vast network of public lands that in turn support an abundant variety of wildlife. These lands and animals form the fabric of many communities, enriching local economies and cultures, supporting outdoor recreation and boosting the ecological health of the region.
Addressing repair backlog at national parks can give Congress a big win
With the House expected to soon consider the public lands package recently passed by the Senate, now is the time to move on other unfinished business: the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act (H.R. 1225) and the Restore Our Parks Act (S. 500), which would address priority repairs at America’s aging — and in many cases deteriorating — national park facilities.
Fix Our Parks and Protect Our Wild Lands and Rivers
Congress has just a few weeks left before it adjourns, and among the bills that await action are nine wilderness bills and legislation to restore our national parks. Based on the overwhelming public support for protecting our public lands, the significance of these areas as economic drivers, and the looming retirement of several bill champions—including Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Bob Corker (R-TN)—the time to get these measures across the finish line is now.
By protecting public land in Utah and other states, Congress can leave a natural legacy
Our country needs more wilderness. This is more than an opinion: A growing body of research shows that open space and places for quiet solitude, both increasingly scarce, have a positive effect on people’s well-being and on the economies of communities surrounding these places. That’s why lawmakers should seize the opportunity to expand our nation’s wealth of protected public lands in a variety of states, including one that has seen decades of stalemate over land use — Utah.
Restoring our national parks would be a bipartisan win for Congress
There comes a time when homeowners can no longer ignore the leaky roof, broken heating and A/C unit, outdated plumbing system, or sagging floorboards in their house. Congress seems to be reaching this point with the much-needed repairs within national park units across the country — a list that has led to a backlog of deferred maintenance needs totaling nearly $12 billion — with the introduction of and strong bipartisan support for, legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Fisheries management is working, Congress should stick to the science
It’s no coincidence that June, the start of beach-vacation high season, is also National Oceans Month — a time to appreciate all that the marine environment provides for millions of species, including us. Although the ocean faces a variety of threats, this year there’s good news: The annual report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the state of U.S. fisheries shows continued progress in the science-based efforts to rebuild and manage ocean fish populations.
National Monuments Offer President a Chance to Build a Conservation Legacy
White House should use the Antiquities Act to protect, not dismantle, American treasures Article September 18, 2017 By: Tom Wathen Read time: Share The President Can Build a Conservation Legacy Gold Butte in Southern Nevada is among the national monuments still at risk for a reduction in size or change in management.
National Monuments Offer President a Chance to Build a Conservation Legacy
In April, President Donald Trump directed the Department of the Interior to review 27 national monuments, designated since 1996, for possible reduction or elimination. During the 120-day review, the department announced that it would recommend no changes for six of them. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was expected to publicly reveal in late August his recommendations for the remaining 21 national monuments under review.
National Monuments Offer President a Chance to Build a Conservation Legacy
In April, President Donald Trump directed the Department of the Interior to review 27 national monuments, designated since 1996, for possible reduction or elimination. During the 120-day review, the department announced that it would recommend no changes for six of them. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was expected to publicly reveal in late August his recommendations for the remaining 21 national monuments under review.
Why our large-scale national monuments should stay intact
The public comment period on 22 national land monuments proposed for possible modification or elimination has ended. Now Interior Secretary Ryan ZinkeRyan Keith ZinkeInterior official says he was reassigned because of climate work Trump administration looks to speed drilling permits Interior opens public review of offshore drilling plan MORE has the task of weighing the enormous outpouring of submissions as he considers his recommendations to President Donald J.
Our national parks need updates; Congress can help
OK, you don’t need to bring your own backhoe. But it couldn’t hurt. In many of the more than 400 sites in the National Park System, potholed roads, out-of-service restrooms, shuttered historic homes, closed trails, broken HVAC systems, and electrical fire hazards are degrading the visitor experience — in large part because of shortfalls in congressional funding needed to maintain the National Park Service’s aging infrastructure. The result?
Memo to Congress: The Antiquities Act helps make America great
Since President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law in 1906, eight Republican and eight Democratic presidents have used this visionary legislation to protect as national monuments 157 of the most treasured, natural, historic, and cultural sites across the country — places that not only hold special value for millions of Americans, but also bring significant economic gains to the communities that surround them.
6 Fascinating Creatures Highlight Wonders of the Sea
Correction note: This post has been updated to correct a fact about belugas. Even with the dizzying pace of mankind’s technological advances, much of the sea and many creatures that live there remain mysterious. Scientists continue to discover new species and gather clues on the curious behavior of marine life throughout the global ocean. Here are six marvels of the oceanic environment. Deep-sea corals thrive at depths of thousands of feet, and some grow hundreds of feet tall.
6 Fascinating Creatures Highlight Wonders of the Sea
Even with the dizzying pace of mankind’s technological advances, much of the sea and many creatures that live there remain mysterious. Scientists continue to discover new species and gather clues on the curious behavior of marine life throughout the global ocean. Here are six marvels of the oceanic environment. Deep-sea corals thrive at depths of thousands of feet, and some grow hundreds of feet tall.
10 At-Risk Animals Underscore the Importance of World Wildlife Day
March 3 is officially recognized as World Wildlife Day by the United Nations. But on the @PewEnvironment Instagram feed, every day is a day to celebrate wildlife. From protecting penguins in Antarctica to safeguarding whales in the Arctic, Pew is working around the world to conserve wild places and the animals that depend on them. These are just a few of the creatures we've encountered in the course of our conservation work.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Tom
Contact Tom, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack