Defend Agriculture Conservation Funding TODAY!
BOBWHITES AND GRASSLAND WILDLIFE NEED YOUR HELP!
Conservation and wildlife funding was disproportionately slashed in the fiscal year 2012 agriculture spending bill recently passed by the House of Representatives, threatening our nation’s ability to conserve wildlife habitat in agricultural landscapes. The House-passed 2012 bill cuts funding for farm bill conservation programs by nearly $1 billion; this comes in addition to $500 million cut in the fiscal year 2011 law.
We call on the Senate to stand up for bobwhites, other wildlife, and rural economies! Tell the Senate NOT to go down the same path as the House.
YOU CAN TAKE ACTION! Call your Senators TODAY and ask them to reject funding cuts to conservation programs!
Your call will make a difference. Conservation groups around the country are uniting today, June 28th, to rally around Farm Bill conservation.
When you call, keep the message simple. Tell them we need funding for farm bill conservation programs to protect our wildlife and natural resources in a time of rising agricultural demand.
Specific examples include:
1. Protecting bobwhite and grassland wildlife habitat on our working farms and ranches—particularly through programs such as the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the Grasslands Reserve Program.
2. Improve the environment—the Environmental Quality Incentives Program delivers demonstrated environmental benefits including clean air, clean water, and abundant habitat for wildlife by helping farmers implement conservation practices.
3. Promote rural economies—Farm Bill conservation programs such as the Voluntary Public Access program – which the House eliminated – and the Conservation Reserve Program, bring important money and jobs to rural areas through increased revenues from hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching activities.
For this message to be effective you must speak directly with someone in the office – like the legislative assistant or legislative director who covers agriculture or conservation – do not settle for leaving a voice mail!
Remember, calling every Senator is important. Call (202) 224-3121 now and request to be connected to your Senator’s office.
