Media Contacts
Cat Lazaroff
Communications Director
(202)
772-3270
Not a journalist but need help? Contact our Member Services
team:
1-800-385-9712
Sign up for our Press List
Get Defenders Headlines
Get the latest wildlife conservation news and information... right when we post it online.
For Immediate Release
President's budget provides pathways for wildlife impacted by global warming
The following is a statement from Defenders of Wildlife Executive Vice President Jamie Rappaport Clark:
“With the release of President Obama’s new budget, the Interior Department has demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling climate change, and in particular safeguarding America’s wildlife from the impacts of global warming.
“Overall, we are extremely pleased that the President’s request includes a ground-breaking $133 million increase for Interior Department natural resource management agencies to address the impacts of climate change on lands, water, and wildlife. They will finally have the resources to begin critically needed efforts to monitor wildlife and their habitats and help them survive the devastating effects of climate change, supported by sound science.
“In particular, the $40 million allocated to the Fish and Wildlife Service demonstrates that America’s wildlife and its habitats will not be forgotten in this unprecedented effort to overcome the biggest conservation challenge in our lifetimes. The Service will also be receiving the support of our nation’s leading scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), thanks to the $15 million allocated to the new National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and $5 million in additional USGS funding specifically to assist Fish and Wildlife Service managers in their efforts to protect wildlife and habitats from climate change.
“Furthermore, we are very pleased to see that states will be receiving a $40 million increase to develop and implement wildlife adaptation strategies, which will be key to ensuring the sustainability of species such as snowshoe hares and many species of bats. Along with the federal natural resource management agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines in defending wildlife and habitat from this threat.
“These key funding increases to deal with the impacts of global warming will provide the Interior Department with critically needed resources to tide the department over until Congress passes climate legislation and provides the significant level of dedicated funding that will ultimately be needed to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems.
“This
budget takes significant steps forward for
America’s wildlife. Our investment today
will be worth every penny tomorrow.”
Learn more about federal funding for wildlife.
###
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come.
