Teaming with Wildlife May Update

Fly-Out: Bringing Congress to the Great Outdoors!

We are proud to announce the first ever Teaming with Wildlife Fly-Out. During the second week of the Congressional Memorial Day Recess, May 27 - June 3, every state is encouraged to set up field trips, press events, and in-state meetings with members of your delegation to thank them for their support of the State Wildlife Grants Program and to educate them about your State Wildlife Action Plan.

This is a great opportunity to show off the important on-the-ground work that is being accomplished with State Wildlife Grant funding and a time to establish a real, working relationship with your members of Congress and their staff. Wildlife and natural places provide us with peace and relaxation. Share some of that magic with your Congressmen!

In order to get these meetings underway, don't delay. Contact your member of Congress immediately to begin setting up a time for your field trip or press event.  In the coming weeks we will be sending you tools and resources to make the Fly-out a success, but ultimately your continued dedication to educating your Congressional delegation is the key to Teaming with Wildlife's success. 

For more information, visit www.teaming.com.

Call to Action! Major Cut to State Wildlife Grants

In response to last week's severe cut to State Wildlife Grants in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition has launched a major campaign: “Get Wildlife Funding Back on Track.” This Senate-focused campaign will help us hit a home run for wildlife by organizing a different state coalition tactic for each of the next five weeks. Our campaign timeline and strategy can be found online at www.teaming.com.

We hope you'll join the state coalitions in calling your Senators right now! Urge them to RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE STATE WILDLIFE GRANTS PROGRAM TO $85 MILLION.
(Capitol Switchboard: 202/224-3121)

Use the following points to make your message to the Hill staffer:

•  The State Wildlife Grants Program supports cost-effective and proactive approaches to wildlife conservation, conserving wildlife and the places they live before they become more rare and more costly to protect.

•  We need robust State Wildlife Grants funding to implement our state's Wildlife Action Plan, recently completed by scientists, conservationists and sportsmen working together to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations.

•  State Wildlife Grants is the only federal program aimed at preventing wildlife from becoming endangered in every state, making it a mission-critical element of the Interior Department's Budget.

A sample letter to FAX (mail takes too long) to your Senators is available at www.teaming.com .

As you know, the State Wildlife Grants Program provides the funding the state wildlife action plans need to conserve the wildlife and natural places that enhance our own quality of life. Unfortunately, the House Interior Appropriations Bill cuts State Wildlife Grants by almost one-third from the President's recommendation of $75 million and to $35 million less than 226 Members of Congress asked for in this year's Dear Colleague Letter. Four the state wildlife action plans to succeed, we must insure that the Senate provides much more than the $50 million recommended by the House.

Please forward this action alert to other lists of wildlife enthusiasts. If you're reading this message and your organization or business is not already a member of the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition, you can join at: www.teaming.com/join.htm . Stay tuned for more alerts over the next month as we work to get wildlife funding back on track!

State Wildlife Grants Five-Year Accomplishment Report Released

The Association is pleased to announce the release of the State Wildlife Grants Five-Year Accomplishment Report , generously designed and printed by the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. On its fifth anniversary, this accomplishment report examines the State Wildlife Grants Program and highlights:

• The proactive nature of the State Wildlife Grants Program
• The cost-effective approach State Wildlife Grants bring to conserving wildlife
• The partnerships created by State Wildlife Grants projects

The report is being distributed to every member of Congress and will be mailed to state directors and Teaming with Wildlife contacts over the next several weeks. It is also available on the Teaming with Wildlife website and can be downloaded by clicking here (please note, this is a 15 MB document).

One-Year Later Meeting Save the Date

This summer, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and US Fish and Wildlife Service will be hosting the Wildlife Action Plans “One Year Later” Meeting .

Two years ago, all of the states and territories came together for the “One Year Out” Meeting in Nebraska City , Nebraska , to share ideas, exchange information, and develop innovative approaches to the completion of the state wildlife action plans. This meeting kept momentum behind the wildlife action plans and helped every state and territory get over the finish line.

Finishing the wildlife action plans was just the beginning : now we need to translate them into on-the-ground projects and actions in every state. The “One Year Later ” meeting will help us continue moving into this new phase. The meeting will be an invaluable opportunity for your agency to gather information and share ideas with other states – and your state's representation at the meeting will be critical to the overall success of the wildlife action plans nationwide.

When: July 31 – August 2, 2006
(meeting begins morning of July 31 and ends at noon on August 2)

Where: National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown , West Virginia

Who: Every fish and wildlife agency, along with representatives
of partner agencies and organizations

Detailed Travel Information and Agendas Coming Soon. For more information contact The Association.