Teaming with Wildlife

State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program
(10 years of conservation success)

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program is the principal source of funding to implement State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory.  This year we mark 10 years of funding for this vital program.  We had another successful Teaming With Wildlife Fly-in in February.  Enthusiastic advocates from around the country visited Capitol Hill with a clear message to members so Congress to fund the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program and to reduce the nonfederal match requirement.  This year 47 members of the Senate and 80 members of the House signed on to the letters-a resounding voice of support for the program!  Thanks to all of you who came to Washington DC to visit your member offices, made calls and sent emails encouraging your members to sign-on to the Dear Colleague Letters.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Contact your members and thank them for signing the Dear Colleague Letter or ask them to support the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants during the Appropriations Process.

• Final FY 2011 House Dear Colleague Letter

• Final FY 2011 Senate Dear Colleague Letter

• Final FY 2011 List of Signers for House and Senate

• State Wildlife Grants Apportionments – FY01-FY10 (pdf)

• State Wildlife Action Plan Success Stories Report

The Teaming With Wildlife Act
(sustained funding for fish & wildlife)

The Teaming with Wildlife Act (S655), introduced by Senator Tim Johnson (SD) would provide a reliable source of funding to implement State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory.  This funding would prevent future endangered species listings by proactively addressing the needs of more than 10,000 species of wildlife identified as at-risk in State Wildlife Action Plans.. The bill proposes to deposit a relatively small portion of existing federal revenue from off-shore and on-shore oil and gas  development on federal lands into the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program account.  This program was last funded in 2001.   Co-sponsors of the Teaming With Wildlife Act include senators Stabenow (MI), Tester (MT), Thune (SD), Merkley (OR), Klobuchar (MN) and Udall (NM). 

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Thank your member for co-sponsoring the Teaming With Wildlife Act in the Senate or ask them to consider co-sponsoring.

• Teaming with Wildlife Act Fact Sheet

• Teaming with Wildlife Act (Senate Bill)

• Proposed State-by-State Allocations under the Teaming with Wildlife Act

• State Wildlife Action Plan Success Stories Report

Natural Resources Adaption
(safeguarding wildlife from climate change)

Scientists believe that climate change is and will continue to have an extreme impact on wildlife and their habitats.   In June 2009, the House of Representatives passed comprehensive climate change legislation (HR2454) that included substantial funding to safeguard wildlife and their habitats from the affects of climate change.  Likewise S1733 passed in the Environment and Public Works Committee provided needed funding for natural resources adaptation.   The wildlife conservation community has been advocating that funding for natural resources adaptation funding be included in proposed legislation being drafted by Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman.  

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Encourage your members of the Senate to include natural resources adaptation funding in comprehensive climate change legislation.

• HR2454 - American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

• S1733 - Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

• National Wildlife  Federation – Global Warming Site

• Voluntary Guidance for States to Incorporate Climate change into State Wildlife Action Plans & Other Management Plans

America’s Great Outdoors Initiative

On April 16^th, President Obama launched the “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative at the White House Conference on the Great American Outdoors.  Over the coming months the administration plans to collect the best ideas on conservation through a series of listening sessions that will be held across the country.   The president also signed a presidential memorandum that among other things spurs interagency coordination on the president’s conservation initiative and calls for a report to be completed by November 15, 2010.

HOW CAN YOU HELP: Join the dialogue by attending a listening session (dates/locations will be listed here when available) or by visiting the America’s Great Outdoors community website.

• America’s Great Outdoors Listening Session FACT SHEET - UPDATED 8/17/10

• America’s Great Outdoors Community Website

• Presidential Memorandum – America’s Great Outdoors

• President Obama’s Speech at the White House Conference (video)