̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

March 24, 2011

Dear Senator:

The ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ stands with our chapters and 21 state offices to share our grave concerns about the funding battle that is currently pending in the Senate. The extreme and reckless bill completed by the House, HR 1, devastates many of the programs funded by Congress that help provide for clean air, clean water, and vital natural areas for birds, wildlife and people. These programs are important to all Americans and we hope that as the Senate moves forward you will soundly reject the draconian cuts contained in the House bill.

The House bill guts the broadly supported Land and Water Conservation Fund, cutting funding by 90 percent. This funding provides protection for lands and wildlife habitat in our National Wildlife Refuges, Parks, Forests and other public lands. Each day, 6,000 acres of open space are lost in the U.S. to habitat fragmentation and destruction. Once these lands are lost, they can never be recovered.

The entire Environmental Protection Agency is facing a $3 billion cut to its budget, the largest in 30 years. Such cuts would jeopardize its ability to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and protect our families and the environment.

In addition to the cuts to critical programs, the House bill actually eliminates two programs that are essential to people, birds and other wildlife. HR 1 removes all funding from the North American Wetlands Conservation fund, a critical program that helps preserve wetlands throughout the country. If HR 1 were to pass in its current form, it also would remove any federal funding to State Wildlife Grants, an important source of funding in each state for wildlife programs. These grants help states cost-share many conservation activities.

The upcoming weeks are critical to our nation and our environment. I urge you to oppose the irresponsible cuts contained in HR 1.

Sincerely,

David Yarnold
President and CEO

Alabama
Birmingham ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mobile Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Arizona
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Arizona
Desert Rivers ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Huachuca ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Maricopa ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northern Arizona ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Prescott ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sonoran ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
White Mountain ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Yuma ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Alaska
Arctic ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Alaska
Juneau ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kodiak ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Prince William Sound ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Arkansas
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Arkansas
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Central Arkansas
Arkansas Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Garland County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

California
Altacal ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California
Buena Vista ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Central Sierra ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Conejo Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
El Dorado ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Fresno ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Golden Gate ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kern ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kerncrest ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Knob and Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
La Purisima ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Los Angeles ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Madrone ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Marin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mendocino Coast ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Monterey ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Morro Coast ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mt. Diablo ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Napa Solano ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Palomar ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Palos Verdes/South Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Pasadena ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Peregrine ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Plumas ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Pomona Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
San Bernardino Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
San Diego ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
San Fernando Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Redbud ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Redwood Region ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sacramento ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
San Joaquin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Santa Clara Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Santa Barbara ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Santa Monica Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sea and Sage ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sierra Foothills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Stanislaus ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Ventura ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wintu ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Yolo ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Yosemite Area ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Colorado
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Colorado
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Greater Denver
Black Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Evergreen ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Fort Collins ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Grand Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Roaring Fork ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Weminuche ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Yolo ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Connecticut
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Connecticut
Greenwich ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Litchfield Hills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Naugatuck Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Potapaug ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Quinnipiac Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

District of Columbia
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of the District of Columbia

Florida
Apalachee ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ of Florida
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of the Everglades
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ of Southwest Florida
Bay County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Choctawhatchee ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Citrus County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Clearwater ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Collier County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Duval ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Flagler ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Four Rivers ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Francis M. Weston ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Halifax River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Hendry-Glades ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡
Hernando ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Highlands County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kissimmee Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Lake Region ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Manatee County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Oklawaha Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Peace River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Pelican Island ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sanibel-Captiva ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Santa Fe ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sarasota ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Seminole ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Southeast Volusia ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
South Florida ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Space Coast ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
St. Lucie ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
St. Petersburg ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tampa ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tropical ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Venice Area ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
West Pasco ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
West Volusia ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Georgia
Augusta-Aiken ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Oconee Rivers ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society  
Ogeechee ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Idaho
Coeur d’Alene ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Golden Eagle ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Palouse ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Portneuf Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Illinois
Chicago ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Decatur ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
John Wesley Powell ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Lake County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northwest Illinois ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
South Bend-Elkhart ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Thorn Creek ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Indiana
Amos W. Butler ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Evansville ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Stockbridge ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sycamore ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tippecanoe ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wabash Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Iowa
Cedar Rapids ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Loess Hills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Prairie Rapids ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Southeast Iowa ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tallgrass Prairie ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Kansas
Jayhawk ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Leavenworth ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northern Flint Hills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Topeka ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wichita ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Kentucky
Daviess County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Frankfort ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Jackson Purchase ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Little River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Louisville ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Louisiana
Baton Rouge ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Orleans ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Maryland
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Central Maryland
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Maryland
Chesapeake ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Southern Maryland ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Michigan
Detroit ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Minnesota
Albert Lea ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Minnesota
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Minneapolis
Austin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Brainerd Lakes Area ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Central MN ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Duluth ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mississippi Headwaters ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
St. Paul ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wild River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Zumbro River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Mississippi
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Mississippi
Mississippi Coast ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Okatibbee Creek ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Oktibbeha ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Missouri
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Missouri
Burroughs ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
East Ozarks ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Grand River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Greater Ozarks ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡
Ozark Gateway ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡
St. Louis ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Montana
Bitterroot ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Five Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Flathead ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Last Chance ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mission Mountain ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Montana ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡
Sacajawea ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Upper Missouri Breaks ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Yellowstone Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Nebraska
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Nebraska
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Omaha
Wachiska ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wildcat ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

New Mexico
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ New Mexico
Central New Mexico ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mesilla Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sangre de Cristo ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Southwestern NM ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society   

New Jersey
Atlantic ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Bergen County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Monmouth County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Washington Crossing ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

New York
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ New York
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of the Capital Region
Bedford ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Buffalo ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Central Westchester ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Constitution Marsh ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center and Sanctuary
Eastern Long Island ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Four Harbors ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Genesee Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Great South Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Hudson River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Huntington Oyster Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kalers Pond ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Montezuma ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
New York City ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
North Fork ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
North Shore ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northern Catskills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northern New York ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Onondaga ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Orange County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Putnam Highlands ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Rheinstrom Hill ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Saw Mill River ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
South Shore ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Southern Adirondack ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Sullivan County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center

Nevada
Lahontan ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Red Rock ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

North Carolina
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ North Carolina
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Forsyth County
Elisha Mitchell ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
High Country ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mecklenburg ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
T. Gilbert Pearson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wake ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

North Dakota
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Dakota
Fargo-Moorhead ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Ohio
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Ohio
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Miami Valley
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Greater Cleveland
Blackbrook ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Canton ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Columbus ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
East Central Ohio ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Greater Akron ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Greater Mohican ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Mahoning Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tri-Moraine ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Western Cuyahoga ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Oklahoma
Payne County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tulsa ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Oregon
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Corvallis
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Lincoln City
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Portland
Cape Arago ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kalmiopsis ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Klamath Basin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Lane County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Rogue Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Salem ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Umpqua Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Pennsylvania
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Pennsylvania
Appalachian ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Bucks County ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Conococheague ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Greater Wyoming Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Juniata Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Lycoming ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northeast Pennsylvania ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Quittapahilla ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Seven Mountains ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tiadaghton ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wyncote ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

South Carolina
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ South Carolina
Augusta-Aiken ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Charleston ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Hilton Head Island ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Piedmont ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Waccamaw ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

South Dakota
Pine Hills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Tennessee
Cumberland-Harpeth ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society  

Texas
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Texas
Bexar ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Central Texas ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Coastal Bend ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
El Paso Trans-Pecos ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Fort Worth ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Houston ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Prairie and Timbers ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Travis ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Utah
Bridgerland ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Great Salt Lake ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Red Cliffs ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wasatch ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Vermont
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Vermont
Ascutney Mountain ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northeast Kingdom ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Otter Creek ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡
Taconic Tri-State ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Virginia
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society of Northern Virginia
Northern Neck ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Richmond ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Washington
Admiralty ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Black Hills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Central Basin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Discovery Coast ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Eastside ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Grays Harbor ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kitsap ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Kittitas ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Lower Columbia Basin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
North Cascades ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Olympic Peninsula ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Palouse ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Pilchuck ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Rainier ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Seattle ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Skagit ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Spokane ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Tahoma ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Vashon Maury Island ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Whidbey ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Willapa Hills ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Yakima Valley ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

West Virginia
Mountaineer ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Wisconsin
Admiralty ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Chequamegon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Coulee Region ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Green Rock ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Hoy ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Madison ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Northeast Wisconsin ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Winnebago ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society
Wisconsin Metro ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society

Wyoming
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Wyoming
Murie ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society