Urge Senate to Oppose the "Road to Nowhere" and Protect the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Members of the Alaskan Congressional delegation have introduced legislation that will result in a road carved through the biological heart of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, the first wetlands area in North American to be recognized under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of International Importance.

Urge your two U.S. Senators to oppose this destructive bill!

As you know, even with the increase to the Refuge System budget for this fiscal year, refuges are barely able to maintain critical services. But Congress can help but theyll only do so if they hear from their constituents YOU!

Click here to find out if your Senators have signed on, and if not, send them an instant message!

Members of the House National Wildlife Refuge Caucus are sending a letter to the House Interior and Environment appropriations subcommittee urging them to increase funding for the NWRS to $514 million for FY09. Without support from fellow members of Congress, the appropriators have little incentive to increase the budget on their own!

Find out if your Representative has signed on and if not, urge him or her to do so!

Three years ago a proposal to build a marina next to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge near Virginia Beach, VA was soundly rejected after decision makers heard from hundreds of concerned Americans across the country. Most of those concerned citizens were Friends of refuges just like you!

We need your help to do it again!

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Army Corps of Engineers has recommended that the same marina, which was previously rejected, be approved. However, the final decision on the permit the Corps would issue, rests with the district engineer, Colonel Dionysios (Dan) Anninos.

This marina would be destructive and in direct conflict with federal, state and local initiatives to protect and enhance coastal habitats for the benefit of fish, wildlife and wildlife dependant recreation.

Please take action today and urge Colonel Anninos to reject this proposal!

The President has proposed an effective $15 million cut to the Refuge System budget in the FY09 budget. This at a time when the backlog of critical wildlife, public use and law enforcement programs exceeds $3.5 billion!

The president's budget is simply a blueprint Congress ultimately holds the purse strings and we need your help to urge them to increase funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System!

Click on the link above to send a letter to your 2 U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative!

The National Wildlife Refuge System received a $39 million increase for fiscal year 2008, bringing the total appropriation to $434 m. At a time when key refuge wildlife conservation and public use programs are being slashed across the country, this takes a bold stance to reverse funding declines of recent years.

Please take a moment to thank your U.S. Representative and Senators for this much needed increase by clicking on the link above!

Welcome to the NWRA's "Take Action" Web page! With this Take Action page, the NWRA has made it easier than ever to contact your elected officials and government decision-makers.

The Refuge Action Network (RAN) allows refuge advocates like you to make your voice heard on refuge issues by using this free service. RAN is a fast, easy and effective way for you to make a difference.

While Washington, DC, may seem far away, Congress and regulatory agencies are making decisions every day that affect your refuge and the Refuge System. Legislators want to hear from their constituents. They want to know that real voters in their districts stand behind the positions advocated by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

By communicating with members of Congress to explain how federal government policies impact the National Wildlife Refuge System, you become a vital link between Washington, DC, and your local refuge.

If this is your first time visiting the new Take Action section of our Web site, click the "Sign Up" button above to register. If you've already registered, you can log in by entering your email address and password in the "Member Login" box on the right.