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[This release was provided courtesy of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.] WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3, 2006) — On March 1, 2006, Representative Robin Hayes (R-8th NC) was presented an award for his leadership in championing federal funding for state-based wildlife conservation under the State Wildlife Grants program. The award recognizes his role in leading an effort to secure greater funding for the State Wildlife Grants program, which remains our nation's core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered in every state.
Upon accepting the award, Hayes said, "I am pleased to help with garnering greater support on Capitol Hill for this significant wildlife program. It is important to make an effort to conserve our wildlife resources in North Carolina and throughout the nation. The State Wildlife Grants program is a prime example of how we can work together to ensure our love for the outdoors endures." Rep. Hayes and other Members of Congress were honored during the Teaming with Wildlife Fly-In Days, an annual event held by the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition to educate Congress about the State Wildlife Grants program. Each was honored for their “…exceptional leadership in advocating state wildlife conservation funding”, and “… commitment to America’s wildlife (that) will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.” During the two-day “Fly-In” event, more than 150 conservation leaders from 44 states, including representatives from state fish and wildlife agencies and dozens of other conservation organizations, ranging from environmental groups to hunting and fishing groups to businesses" met with their lawmakers to inform them about the State Wildlife Grants program. The Teaming with Wildlife Coalition includes more than 3,000 conservation groups working to support robust programs of wildlife conservation, education, and recreation in every state. “State agencies leverage State Wildlife Grants funding to help restore habitat, reintroduce wildlife, and work with private landowners to help keep wildlife from declining," said John Cooper, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and President of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is the perfect adage for this program. This is a wise use of taxpayer dollars that delivers on-the-ground results for wildlife.” Created by Congress in 2000, the State Wildlife Grants program is our nation's core program for keeping wildlife from becoming endangered by providing the funding for on-the-ground conservation projects in every state and territory. The State Wildlife Action Plans will help guide future State Wildlife Grant projects and aid every state in taking proactive measures to prevent wildlife from becoming more rare and difficult to protect. Over the last six years, Congress has provided $407 million for the State Wildlife Grants program. President Bush’s fiscal year 2007 Budget includes $74.7 million for the State Wildlife Grants Program, a $6.5 million increase over last year’s enacted appropriation. A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives—led by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ben Nelson (D-NE), John Warner (R-VA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), and Robin Hayes (R-NC)—are already calling for increasing this funding to at least $85 million. Many of these members are past or current leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, the largest caucus on Capitol Hill. "Sportsmen have always been America's conservation leaders," says Congressional
Sportsmen’s Foundation President, Jeff Crane. "Working
with our allies in the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, we
are proud of the
$407
million that the State Wildlife Grants program has received
in federal funding." For more information, please visit www.teaming.com. See North
Carolina's Wildlife Action Plan.
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