Defenders Praises Supplemental Funding for Wildlife Refuges

The House Committee on Appropriations yesterday released a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and is set to pass a funding extension free of anti-environmental provisions through March 14, 2025.

Notably $500 million in supplemental funding is included in the bill for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System. These funds are needed to address the severe impacts from recent hurricanes in the Southeast, as well as damages from other natural disasters that have occurred around the country over the past year but remain unaddressed. While it does not fully meet the President’s request for damage to refuges, this funding will provide significant support to fund the recovery of the Refuge System.

“We are extremely relieved to see a prioritization of assistance to our National Wildlife Refuge System, which is a priceless national treasure,” said Mary Beth Beetham, director of legislative affairs at Defenders of Wildlife. “This supplemental funding is absolutely crucial to ensuring the Refuge System is able to meet its wildlife conservation mission, as well as serve surrounding communities with recreational opportunities.”

The funding will support a number of activities needed to repair damage such as removing debris, cleaning hazardous materials, repairing or demolishing facilities, repairing roads and bridges, restoring damaged habitats, and removing invasive species.  

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