Inside Washington

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Why Congressional Appropriations Are Important To The National Wildlife Refuge System

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Why Congressional Appropriations Are Important To The National Wildlife Refuge System

The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses more than 850 million acres of land and waters across America’s 568 National Wildlife Refuges, including 5 Marine National Monuments. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is responsible for managing these lands and is expected to fulfill its obligation to the Refuge System’s 64 million annual visitors and diverse wildlife on a budget of a mere 61¢ per acre per year, a fraction of what other land agencies receive. For comparison, the National Park Service receives $31 per acre for land management.

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Testifying On Behalf Of Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act of 2022

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Testifying On Behalf Of Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act of 2022

On March 29th, 2022 the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s, Vice President, Government Affairs, Caroline Brouwer testified in support of Bill H.R. 6734 Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act of 2022 to the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

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Public Witness Day Testimony for FY23 Appropriations For The National Wildlife Refuge System

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Public Witness Day Testimony for FY23 Appropriations For The National Wildlife Refuge System

Written testimony by Caroline Brouwer, Vice President, Government Affairs, National Wildlife Refuge Association, for the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies

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Statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s release of FY2022 Omnibus language

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Statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s release of FY2022 Omnibus language

The National Wildlife Refuge Association strongly supports increased funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the largest system of public lands set aside for wildlife in the world. Covering 95 million acres of land and 750 million acres of ocean, the Refuge System is currently funded at just under 60¢ per acre per year. Year after year, the Refuge System remains underfunded, with little traction in Congress to increase funding for habitat that serves not just wildlife species, but people as well.

Looking Forward To Working With Martha Williams As Confirmed Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Looking Forward To Working With Martha Williams As Confirmed Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates Martha Williams on her confirmation as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Director Williams’ many years of experience in wildlife conservation, policy, and management will serve her well in her tenure leading the National Wildlife Refuge System, the largest and most expansive set of lands set aside for wildlife and habitat in the world.

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House Passes Build Back Better : Includes Repeal Of Oil & Gas Program In Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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House Passes Build Back Better : Includes Repeal Of Oil & Gas Program In Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The House passed their historic Build Back Better bill, which includes billions of dollars to fund climate change solutions, including additional conservation on the ground, the creation of a Climate Conservation Corps, and, most importantly for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the repeal of the oil and gas leasing program in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

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House Bill Proposes Repeal of Oil and Gas Program in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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House Bill Proposes Repeal of Oil and Gas Program in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The National Wildlife Refuge Association strongly supports the language released yesterday by the House of Representatives in their Build Back Better reconciliation bill that repeals the disastrous oil and gas development program on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This bill also buys back the leases that were improperly sold in January to ensure they will be canceled. The language included in the bill would repeal the creation of the oil and gas program included in the 2017 Tax Act, repeal the addition of an oil and gas program as a “purpose of the refuge”, and buy back the leases sold in the last minute sale before the change of administrations.

Martha Williams Nominated To Be The 23rd Director Of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Martha Williams Nominated To Be The 23rd Director Of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

President Joe Biden has nominated Martha Williams to be the 23rd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to support Martha Williams, who has been acting as Director since January 20th, and looks forward to supporting her confirmation in the Senate.

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Protections Restored To The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

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Protections Restored To The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

President Joe Biden will sign a Proclamation restoring protections to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the first marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean. This monument, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects unique geological features and habitats for whales, puffins, turtles, and deep-sea corals.

Government Shutdown Averted For Now, Please Contact Your Members Of Congress

Government Shutdown Averted For Now, Please Contact Your Members Of Congress

On the last day of the fiscal year, Congress has finally passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 3rd. While a shutdown has been averted, there are no increases to funding in this legislation.