Joining the Fray. There are literally thousands of environmental advocacy groups, from the corporate-sized to the neighborhood grassroots. Following is a brief cross-section of some with a local presence. Because of its pledge to be noncontroversial and avoid politics, TNC is a favorite of corporate donors - and because of this it has the largest budget of the national organizations.
Membership includes a bimonthly magazine and state newsletter.
Though national priorities often displease grassroots members, there is a certain amount of independence allowed in the local chapters. NAS does get involved politically and offers plenty of resources to encourage member-activism. An excellent bimonthly magazine provides outstanding photography and stimulating articles. The local chapter publishes a newsletter, meets once per month and takes frequent daytrips and an annual weekend retreat. The largest national organization that prides itself on refusing polluter proceeds it is also the oldest, founded in 1892 by preservationist and Yosemite Wilderness advocate John Muir.