For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

President Trump released his proposed federal budget today that drastically cuts funding to vital wildlife agencies and programs, including endangered species recovery, wildlife trafficking prevention and the National Wildlife Refuge System. It comes on the heels of the president’s infrastructure proposal, also released today, that would bulldoze environmental laws on behalf of corporate developers looking to profit at the expense of wildlife, public health and American taxpayers.

Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark issued the following statement:

“Today, President Trump is doubling down on destroying our natural heritage. Trump’s shortsighted budget is an unmitigated disaster for wildlife. It starves agencies of their ability to enforce environmental safeguards, protect our wildlife and manage America’s cherished public lands, while continuing to propose billions for his destructive border wall. This budget should be dead on arrival in Congress. We call on Congressional appropriators to reject this proposal and approve a budget that protects wildlife and their habitat and fully funds vital environmental and wildlife management agencies.”

 

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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