In these difficult financial times, the agencies responsible for our wildlife, public lands, air and water seem to be a favorite target despite the fact that investments in our natural resources comprise only about 1% of the federal budget. Congress is currently planning on severe budget cuts and numerous anti-conservation provisions that could have devastating impacts. As Congress finalizes the spending bill that will fund lands, water, air and wildlife agencies and programs, the public must make it clear that our leaders should uphold America's commitment to protecting our wildlife and wild lands, not dismantle it. We understand that there will be need to be cuts to get out of the debt crisis; however, polluters should not be able to use the  current economic situation to destroy the country's commitment to fish, wildlife, clean air and clean water.

What You Can Do

Your voice is crucial. We need your help to urge Congress to say no to drastic funding cuts for our land, water, air, and wildlife. Please contact your federal Senators and Representative - Call, write or meet with your representative and senators and let them know why they must work to protect funding for these critical agencies and programs and oppose any anti-wildlife provisions.

Sample Talking Points

Following are sample top-line talking points. These points would work well for a call and you can add to them additional concerns that are important to you.

• My name is [NAME] and I am calling from [CITY, STATE]. I am calling to urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to help ensure any spending bill protects vital conservation funding and remains free of anti-wildlife provisions.
• I appreciate the tough financial times we are in, but sacrificing our wildlife and environment is unacceptable. Congress should not use this as an excuse to take an ax to countless environmental laws and decimate funding for wildlife and our natural resources.

Below are additional points you can include, particularly for a letter or e-mail to your Senators or Representative. Pick those points that are of most concern to you and don't forget to add to your own messages about the importance of protecting our nation's wildlife and public lands to you. 

• Our nation's wildlife and their habitats provide Americans important health benefits from clean air and water as well contribute towards physical and mental health from being outside. Americans love wildlife and want to ensure that their grandchildren can enjoy it for generations to come.
• The House Interior Appropriations bill would cut funding for conservation DRAMATICALLY. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service overall receives some of the worst cuts in the bill, nearly 21 percent below FY 2011 and 28 percent below FY 2010 levels.
• Wildlife programs are a great value - federal spending on all land, water, ocean, and wildlife programs was just a little more than one percent of the federal budget in 2010 and programs that protect wildlife make up only a portion of this amount.
• Many of these wildlife programs are cooperative and leverage the federal dollar with state, local and private sources greatly stretching the federal dollar further.
• Wildlife related recreation is a $122 billion a year economic engine that is especially important for our rural communities. Many local communities thrive on wildlife recreation and tourism as well as the jobs required to conserve wildlife and restore and manage its habitat.
• These programs conserve wildlife, help prevent extinctions and save taxpayer money in the long run. An ounce pound of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• These cuts, combined with the incredible number of politically motivated amendments and riders being discussed, will be nothing short of devastating to our air, water, lands, and wildlife.