Action Alerts
Protect the Boundary Waters from mining pollution!
The Izaak Walton League has been working for 100 years to protect the pristine and spectacular Boundary Waters. Early League Leader Sig Olson understood the value of this unique region, and his success in explaining its importance to League founders kicked off our longstanding involvement in this extraordinary wilderness.
Right now, you can follow in Sig's footsteps: a Congressional committee is meeting on Tuesday to discuss why it's important to ensure ongoing protection for the Boundary Waters. After 100 years of advocacy by the League, that should be an easy question – but we know some members of the committee still don't get it. That's why your voice is needed right now to help legislators understand why the Boundary Waters should be protected, not polluted.
A vast region of rivers, lakes and woods is at risk of being permanently contaminated by runoff from a proposed sulfide copper mine. But your action right now could help protect the Boundary Waters, safeguarding this beautiful region's value for water quality, fish and wildlife, downstream small businesses, and future generations. Please tell your Representative why the Boundary Waters are important to you!
P.S. The Boundary Waters region, which sprawls across northern Minnesota, is America's most visited wilderness area, attracting more than 150,000 visitors each year. Conservation advocates from Seattle to Boston, and from San Diego to the Florida Keys, have made their voices heard on the importance of this irreplaceable landscape. Don't miss this critical opportunity to tell your Representative why the Boundary Waters must be protected for future generations!
Urge your Senators to support wildlife conservation today!
Today, one third of all wildlife species in the United States are at increased risk of extinction. Many of our most iconic species face threats to their habitat and declining populations.
S. 2372, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), is a bipartisan bill that establishes a 21st century funding model for the proactive conservation of fish and wildlife. America needs this progressive model of conservation funding that will cost-effectively address widespread drops in our wildlife populations.
This funding will ensure that agencies with a proven track record of success in species conservation and recovery will have the resources needed to proactively conserve at-risk fish and wildlife for generations to come.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor this important legislation!
Legislation to Protect ANWR - New legislation has been introduced in congress to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development, and to keep it wild and safe for the myriad of animals living there. See the Ikes link above to take action and let congress know you support protecting this iconic wilderness.
Though most of the Refuge has strong protections, the coastal plain – the biological heart of this extraordinary region – is vulnerable to oil and gas drilling. The new legislation would protect the Refuge’s vast intact ecosystem by extending wilderness protections to 1.5 million acres of the coastal plain. This would ensure safe passage for migrating caribou, safe nesting places for over a hundred species of birds, and safe winter homes for denning polar bears – forever.
Recovering America's Wildlife Act
The below news release is from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. It explains this important act for America's wildlife and provides links for more information and to contact your congressional representative to ask for support:
State-level conservation work would be eligible for $1.4 billion in annual funding under the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act — and with your help we just could land a win for fish and wildlife.
“Why not be more proactive than reactive? Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is highly, highly innovative and effective,” said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), who introduced RAWA last summer along with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI). “It’s the single most exciting policy development to come through Congress in decades. It protects ecosystems, protects communities and enhances our outdoor recreation economy.”
The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 3742) would dedicate $1.4 billion annually to facilitate state-led wildlife conservation restoration programs that provide state agencies, tribal nations and communities with collaborative tools to prevent habitat degradation and economic uncertainty for wildlife managers. States would receive vital funding to implement wildlife action plans, which are designed to keep at-risk fish and wildlife populations off the federal list of threatened or endangered species.
While not all at-risk species are game species, they do share the same habitat with valued game animals like mallards, mule deer, pronghorn and wild trout. Improving habitat for one species benefits entire ecosystems.
Recently, House members convened a hearing on RAWA, and the House Natural Resources Committee must vote to advance the bill before it can be considered on the House floor and receive consideration by the Senate.
You can help advance RAWA and secure $1.4 billion for fish and wildlife!
Join BHA in urging your representative to cosponsor Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and continue the positive momentum in getting it across the finish line.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers