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Ducks Unlimited and Other Groups Partner for Refuges - Diverse Interests Urge Increased Funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System

Washington, D.C., November 15-A broad based coalition of conservationists and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, including Ducks Unlimited, released a report that details the funding crisis threatening America's most important wildlife conservation resource, the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), which includes twenty conservation and recreation organizations ranging from Ducks Unlimited to the Assateague Coastal Trust, warned that the Refuge System faces a nearly $2 billion funding deficit, endangering wildlife and denying Americans educational and recreational use of these natural places.

The report, Shortchanging America's Wildlife, requests the federal government and Congress to address America's need to connect with nature by more than doubling the budget of the National Wildlife Refuge System to $700 million annually, beginning in FY2003, the Refuge System centennial. National wildlife refuges have never been more at risk. At a time when the nation is under threat and the public is turning to natural places for solace and recreation, we must safeguard one of our most important national assets and protect a legacy created by President Theodore Roosevelt nearly 100 years ago for the benefit of future generations.

Millions of sportsmen-conservationists, & other wildlife enthusiasts have a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the outdoors by visiting the National Wildlife Refuge system. These special lands are responsible for keeping populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and many other types of wildlife, abundant and healthy. More than 36 million Americans annually enjoy an opportunity to experience our country's natural wonders through the Refuge system. But without immediate attention from the Administration and Congress, the Refuge System is in danger of being unable to do the same in the next 100 years. Severe funding and staffing shortfalls have led to the decline of refuge habitats and wildlife populations, aging facilities and infrastructure and the cancellation of popular wildlife-oriented public use programs.

Ducks Unlimited is a charter member of the CARE group. "Ducks Unlimited prides itself as being a long time partner on the refuge system, where we have almost six hundred projects encompassing approximately three hundred thousand acres of wetlands and associated uplands. Our field biologists work cooperatively with the committed staffs on refuges to help design and maintain habitat that helps the Fish and Wildlife Service accomplish its mission," said Don Young, Executive Vice President of Ducks Unlimited.

The National Wildlife Refuge System includes 538 refuges and 94 million acres of land and water in all states and U.S. territories, and represents a cornerstone of conservation in the United States. Though larger than the National Park System, the Refuge System receives just 20% of the funding per acre of its smaller sister federal land agency.

"A significant amount of refuge lands were paid for with funds provided by sportsmen and women through the purchase of federal duck stamps. But acquiring lands for wildlife is not enough," said Scott Sutherland, Director of Governmental Affairs of Ducks Unlimited. "Refuges need proper funding to most effectively manage the resource. We thank Congress and the Administration for their support in the last several years and hope that these needs will be addressed even more in the years ahead."
http://www.thesi.com/waterfowl-news-second.html