Teaming With Wildlife
A coalition of more than 6,100 organizations supporting increased and dedicated funding
for wildlife conservation
education and nature based recreation. |
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Welcome
You are receiving this email as an organization or business that is part of the 6,168 member Teaming With Wildlife coalition-the largest coalition of its kind. The goal of the coalition is secure dedicated funding for state fish and wildlife agencies to implement wildlife conservation, education and outdoor education actions identified in State Wildlife Action Plans. |
The Federal Budget Process & State Wildlife Action Plans
Each year, Congress passes thirteen appropriation bills that support government services for a fiscal year (October 1st - September 30th). The program that supports implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans is the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program and is contained within the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriation Act.
The process of developing a budget takes nearly a year. Major steps include formation of agency budget (Fall08); the release of the budget by the president (Feb 09), appropriation subcommittee hearings/markups (Spring09), House and Senate floor votes (Summer09), a House/Senate conference and ultimately signing by the President (Fall09). Since Congress' work on the FY10 budget was not completed before the start of the fiscal year, a continuing resolution was passed last week to ensure government services continue.
At all stages of the appropriation process, Teaming With Wildlife coalition members serve an important advocacy role by participating in the annual Fly-In, helping with "Dear Colleague" letters, participating in member meetings and providing testimony. As a member of the coalition, you are helping to ensure state fish and wildlife agencies have the resources needed to conserve our nation's wildlife. |
State and Tribal Wildlife Grants
On September 24, 2009, the US Senate passed the FY10 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that included $80 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. This was a $5 million increase from FY09. In June, the House of Representatives passed a similar appropriations bill that included $115 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program in FY10. This was the same level of funding recommended by the President. In addition, the House of Representatives approved a reduction in the non-federal match requirement for states from 50% to 25%, an important boost for many state fish and wildlife agencies experiencing severe budget declines and increasing demands such as climate change.. The bill now goes to a conference committee where negotiators will seek a compromise so that a reconciled bill can be voted on and sent to the president in the coming weeks.
WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please take a few minutes to contact your state's Senators and ask them to support State Wildlife Action Plan implementation by increasing funding for the State Wildlife Grants Program to $115M (same level recommended by the President and agreed to by the House) and by reducing the non-federal match requirement from 50% to 25%. You can reach your Senator by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or by visiting www.senate.gov.
State & Tribal Wildlife Grants (FY10) Comparison
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Funding Level |
Match Required |
| President's Budget |
$115 Million |
50% |
| House of Representatives |
$115 Million |
25% |
| Senate |
$80 Million |
50% |
| TWW Coalition Preference |
$115 Million |
25% |
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Why We Need Funding for State Wildlife Action Plan Implementation
Congress required that each state and territorial fish and wildlife agency create a State Wildlife Action Plan. The purpose of these plans is to delist current and prevent future endangered species listings and to keep common species common. The plans lay out voluntary conservation actions needed to conserve thousands of at-risk species of fish and wildlife on public and private lands..
Currently, each state/territory receives an average of $1 million/year to implement the plans. When you consider the billions of federal dollars spent on wildlife conservation each year, it seems that a little more to the agencies with principal authority for fish and wildlife is justifiable. |
Funding History Chart
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Senators Kerry and Boxer Introduce Comprehensive Climate Change Legislation
On September 30, 2009 Senators John Kerry (MA) and Barbara Boxer (CA) introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Like the American Clean Energy and Security Act that passed in the House of Representatives in June, this bill includes a strong natural resources adaptation section. The Environment and Public Works Committee, chaired by Senator Boxer will have hearings on the bill in October. Since fish, wildlife and their habitats are experiencing the impacts of climate change, it's important that climate change legislation include funding for natural resources adaptation. For more information about the bill, go to http://tinyurl.com/teaming-climate.
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What You Missed in The Last Issue
WILD CALL Issue #1
- State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Appropriation (FY10)
- Senator Johnson Receives the Teaming With Wildlife Award
- Climate Change and Natural Resources Adaptation
- Climate Change Sign-on Letter
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