The economic stimulus bill being considered in Congress is focusing on bridges and highways; yet there are potential opportunities for hunters and anglers to see improvements in the habitats they use. Ducks Unlimited is supporting stimulus money to be designated for conservation efforts which will conserve waterfowl and wildlife habitat and create thousands of badly needed jobs.
“Conservation projects like wetlands restoration were the original ‘green jobs,’” said Scott Sutherland, director, Ducks Unlimited Governmental Affairs Office. “These projects can be initiated rapidly and will improve habitat and water quality for years to come all the while protecting and enhancing thousands of acres of waterfowl and wildlife habitat.”
Wetlands restoration projects, like the kind undertaken through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, could create more than 8,000 jobs nationwide many are pre-approved and “shovel-ready” but lack the funding necessary to put them on the ground. Improvements to the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is supported in part by waterfowl hunters purchasing Federal Duck Stamps, could generate more than 18,000 jobs and improve critical waterfowl habitat in the breeding grounds, wintering areas and along the migratory flyways.
Sportsmen interested in having habitat for the fish and wildlife they love need to help ensure that provisions like these and others that benefit fish, waterfowl, and wildlife remain in the bill that reaches the president’s desk. A simple phone call to your senators and representative, asking them to support job creation through funding for wildlife habitat, could mean acres of new and restored habitat and a stronger economy.
Sportsmen and women can call their congressmen today to request that they support funding for wildlife habitat restoration in the economic stimulus bill.
US Senate: 202-224-3121
US House of Representatives: 202-225-3121