Attention Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Coalition Members & Friends:

Early Saturday morning the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government for FY11 by a vote of 235-189.  The CR provided $0 for the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants for FY11.  

The bill now goes to the Senate. We need IMMEDIATE ACTION to restore funding for the State Wildlife Grants program in the Senate version of the Continuing Resolution!  

Learn more about the State Wildlife Grants program in Missouri. 

We realize these are very difficult economic times in our country! However, we feel that the SWG program could absorb a proportional cut across the board, while total elimination of funding will have a huge setback for fish & wildlife conservation in our Nation and significantly impact Missouri's SWG program. These funding sources help ensure that Missouri has healthy, sustainable plant and animal communities for future generations of our citizens to use and enjoy.

• Economically speaking, fish and wildlife recreation and the forest products industry in Missouri have an economic impact of over $11 billion each year and generate support for over 95,000 jobs!
• So popular are the enjoyment of fish, forest, wildlife and outdoor pursuits in Missouri that dollars spent on these activities account for about ¼ of our state's tourism dollars and generate about $439 million in state and local tax revenues.
• A recent newspaper article on Missouri tourism (Jefferson City News Tribune, Sunday, February 20, 2011) indicated that Tourism officials are urging lawmakers to put more money into promoting the state as a way to help the economy grow.  Millions of our citizens and millions of visitors annually enjoy Missouri's clean waters and lands that are "teaming" with fish and wildlife; Missouri is known internationally as a scenic state that offers high quality outdoor recreational opportunities.

To help STOP the elimination of the State Wildlife Grants programs:

• Call Senator Blunt (202-224-5721 or web form) and Senator McCaskill (202-224-6154 or web form) and ask them to restore funding for the State Wildlife Grants Program in the continuing resolution. (Senator Blunt is particularly influential as he serves on the Interior Appropriations Committee that makes direct decisions on this and other conservation funding.) Consider using some of the talking points below.   
• Rally your colleagues, affiliates and members!: Share this Action Alert and ask them to call their representative, and ask them to share it with their members, etc.
• Make some noise-pass it on! 

This is our chance to re-engage the largest & most diverse coalition ever assembled. This is one of the most important moves we can make to stop Congress from CUTTING this lifeline for our wildlife.

Additional comments to consider regarding support of State Wildlife Grants:

• In the past, House and Senate Appropriations Committees have considered funding for State Wildlife Grants (authorized by Congress) to be programmatic funding, not an earmark or earmarked funds. 
• State Wildlife Grants are a national funding source created to prevent species from becoming endangered by protecting and restoring native habitats.  Go to www.teaming.com.
• This proactive approach saves taxpayer dollars by addressing species and their habitat issues before the species become listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• Missouri has the 5th largest Teaming With Wildlife Coalition in the nation, with more than 275 organizations and businesses (thousands of Missouri citizens) that support additional conservation funding through SWG, NAWCA, LWCF, and other conservation-oriented programs. 

Thank you for your support & dedication!

Amy Buechler
Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Coalition
www.moteaming.org

For more information, visit the following links:

- Action Alert
- State Wildlife Grant Fact Sheet
- Missouri SWG Fact Sheet

PLEASE MAKE THESE CALLS TODAY, AND FORWARD THIS ALERT TO OTHERS.