Combined, this System is responsible for over 95 million acres of land and 760 million acres of marine habitat with a budget of just $60.8 million (2024).
This funding is appropriated by Congress and is under threat, year after year. It is not keeping up with inflation or putting a dent in the growing maintenance backlog on aging infrastructure across the nation.
A government shutdown leaves our public lands vulnerable with critical work on hold, thousands of biological, maintenance, visitor services, and management staff unable to report to work and not getting paid. Their personal and professional lives, their futures, uncertain – on top of the mission to which they serve on behalf of the American people.
As I often say, the collective voices of our Membership amplify the message of Malheur’s importance and so must the network of Friends groups across the country. We are but one group representing one Refuge but together we represent the public interest in and commitment to our public lands.
Every single individual in these groups and every group in this network matters. As a wise little creature once said…
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ~ The Lorax
Please consider contacting your federally elected representatives and implore them to uphold the federal government’s responsibility to our most treasured public resources.
Inspired by Malheur,
Janelle Wicks
Executive Director
