The Effect of the Funding Crisis on Refuges in Your State

Press Releases and Testimony

Downloadable PDFs on the Refuges and the Budget Process

Free-use photos on the refuge system (together with captions)

Press Releases and Testimony:

5/22/08: America’s 548 National Wildlife Refuges Under-Funded By 43 Percent

4/25/08: Senate FY09 CARE Testimony

3/13/08: House FY09 CARE Testimony

10/10/07: Congressman Dicks Honored by Conservation Coalition As National Wildlife Refuge System Marks Anniversary

4/25/07: CARE Applauds Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus

9/14/06: CARE Applauds Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus

2/23/06: 350,000 Gallons of Hazardous Materials Threaten Wildlife Refuge Five Months After Hurricane Rita

12/14/05: CARE presents Congressman Young with award

10/9/05: Congressman C. W. Bill Young Recognized as Champion for National Wildlife Refuges

8/3/05: Senator Byron Dorgan Recognized as a Champion for National Wildlife Refuges

Downloadable PDFs on the Refuges and the Budget Process:

From this page, you can access a number of CARE documents and letters, all material we have used among our member organizations and in Washington D.C. to make a case for increased Refuge System funding. We have grouped these documents and letters in the four following categories:

1. Supporting Booklets

In 2001, CARE released an eight-page study, intended to outline the tasks before the Refuge System and the need to adequately fund the refuges. It was released in time for the centennial anniversary for the system, in 2003. The document was called Restoring America's Wildlife Legacy

At about the same time, CARE distributed a companion report, one which focused on a dozen refuges. These dozen examples characterized the funding shortfalls and their consequences. The dozen refuges were San Diego (CA), Bitter Lake (NM), Bear River (UT), Kenai (AK). Silvio Conte (VT, NH, MA, CT), Sacramento (CA), Canaan Valley (WV), Ding Darling (FL), Upper Mississippi (IA, IL, MN, WI), Sullys Hill (ND), Nisqually (WA), and Noxubee (MS). The document was called Shortchanging America's Wildlife

2. Accountability Reports

CARE has regularly released an "Accountability Report" within 18 months of the end of each fiscal year. In these reports, CARE reviews the Refuge System's expenditures for the previous fiscal year to see if appropriated funds were used as intended. Past reports are available here:

CARE Accountability Report FY2003

CARE Accountability Report FY2002

3. Appropriations Letters

Every year, the refuges are funded through the appropriations process, specifically through the deliberations of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee (and their respective "Interior" subcommittees). Here you can see the most recent CARE testimony to the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.

4. Transportation Letters

Every six years, Congress considers large and comprehensive transportation bills. These multi-year bills contain a number of conservation elements, including important funding for Refuge Roads, backing as they do the Refuge System's road, bridge, and trail infrastructure critical to providing safe and adequate public access to refuges and to realizing the economic benefits that refuges can provide to local communities. Here you can access the most recent CARE letters on transportation funds that were sent to the Senate and the House.