CALLS NEEDED TODAY TO HELP SAFEGUARD WILDLIFE FROM GLOBAL WARMING!

 

Your calls today can help us convince Senator Feinstein to make a stronger investment in protecting California's wildlife through the State Wildlife Grants program!

State Wildlife Grants are the principal source of funding dedicated to state agencies to implement State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory. They support meaningful and cost-effective species conservation, and are currently being utilized to confront impacts such as habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and habitat restoration. Additional investments in our State Wildlife Grants are needed to protect species and habitats threatened by global warming. 

In the spring, President Obama's budget requested a $40 million increase over last year's budget for State Wildlife Grants specifically to address the impacts of climate change, bringing the total request for the Fish and Wildlife Service's program to $115 million. 

In late June, under Congressman Norm Dicks' strong leadership, the House approved the $40 million increase. The Senate just passed its version but only included a $5 million increase for State Wildlife Grants and did not tie that increase to the need for State Wildlife Action Plans to address the impacts of global warming. 

Over the next few days, the U.S. House and Senate will hash out all the differences in the two bills. We need your help to inform Senate Interior Appropriations Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) of the importance of safeguarding wildlife from global warming and urge her to adopt the higher funding level of $115 million to address the impacts of global warming on wildlife and their habitats.       

By conserving wildlife and their habitat we also protect recreational opportunities that contribute $730 billion annually and help sustain 6.5 million American jobs.

Suggested Talking Points

1. The Obama Administration recommended and the House of Representatives approved $115 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program in the FY10 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR2996). The Senate only approved $80 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program in the FY10 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Unlike the House, the Senate also did not specifically direct some of the funding towards accounting for and addressing the impacts of climate change in creating state plans for wildlife management.

2. Please support the full House level of funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program, and direct the $40 million increase over last year's funding towards much needed climate change planning and implementation.

 

Call Senator Feinstein at (202) 224-3841 today.