Habitat loss is one of the main drivers of the biodiversity crisis and today, Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day, is a call to action. We must act to protect habitat for imperiled species and provide access to nature for all- specifically in Riverside County, California, one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.
“Many Americans think wildlife refuges can only exist far away from cities and highly populated areas. By protecting remaining habitat and providing equitable access to nature, Riverside County could be a leading example that shows how highly urbanized areas can play a critical role in the future of conservation,” said Pamela Flick, California program director with Defenders of Wildlife.
Defenders of Wildlife is working with the Hispanic Access Foundation to urge the California Delegation and all members of Congress to act swiftly to pass legislation to establish the Western Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge in Southern California. If enacted, this legislation would protect vulnerable species, help close the nature gap for underserved populations, and support sustainable development.
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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