FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2011

Contact:
Evan Hirsche, President, (202) 292-2421, ehirsche@refugeassociation.org
Desiree Sorenson-Groves, Vice-President of Government Affairs, (202) 292-3961, dgroves@refugeassociation.org

NWRA Applauds President’s America’s Great Outdoors Report

Washington, DC –NWRA today expressed its support for President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations report, a blueprint for conservation, outdoor recreation and engaging the nation’s youth. Recognizing that the best way to ensure the conservation of wildlife is through large landscape cooperatives among federal, state and private partners, President Obama’s newly-released America’s Great Outdoors report reinforces the important role of national wildlife refuges and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in defining conservation priorities and implementing multi-partner conservation strategies.

NWRA supports the President's proposal to ensure wildlife conservation through large landscape cooperatives among federal, state and private partners. Pahranagat NWR © Malcolm Harris

“While our national wildlife refuges are America’s conservation strongholds, they also anchor large landscape conservation partnerships that bring together the tools and resources of states, private landowners and non-profit conservation organizations,” said Evan Hirsche, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “America’s Great Outdoors recognizes this crucial role and that of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in leveraging scarce federal dollars against state and private resources to maximize conservation results.”

At 150-million-acres spread among more than 550 units throughout the U.S, the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, serves as America’s wildlife trust, while also offering more than 40 million visitors a year an opportunity to learn about, enjoy and appreciate our natural world.

America’s Great Outdoors emphasizes the need to connect the next generation to the natural world, and recognizes the crucial role urban protected areas can play in providing environmental education and outdoor recreation to a greater diversity of Americans. “National wildlife refuges offer the best opportunity to introduce young people to the wonders of wildlife and natural communities,” said Hirsche. “We’re gratified that America’s Great Outdoors recognizes this crucial role, and advocates giving greater attention to improving the potential of refuges in delivering environmental education and recreational opportunities.”

Also emphasized in the report, is the role of volunteers in helping to deliver conservation, recreation and environmental education on public lands. Refuges in particular, depend on refuge “Friends” groups and volunteers for more than 20% of the work completed annually in the System. At a time when federal budgets are on the chopping block, Friends groups and volunteers are more critical than ever in ensuring national wildlife refuges achieve their conservation and public engagement strategies. The report’s recommendation to make it even easier to volunteer on public lands is essential.

To achieve these goals, the report recommends, and NWRA strongly supports, strengthening the Land and Water Conservation (LWCF) by fully funding it at $900 million annually – as is proposed in the President’s budget.  Strategically investing in land conservation is vital to protecting key habitats while providing opportunities for volunteers and young people to engage with nature, especially close to our urban centers.

The NWRA looks forward to working closely with the White House and Department of the Interior in implementing America’s Great Outdoors recommendations.

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for future generations through strategic programs that protect, enhance, and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries that secure its ecological integrity.

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More Information:

PRESS RELEASE: NWRA Applauds President's America's Great Outdoors Report (.pdf)
FULL REPORT: America's Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future American (doi.gov)

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