For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON ­– Defenders of Wildlife joined a media event today with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and other Senate champions in advance of an expected vote on a budget resolution that could allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Statement from Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO, Jamie Rappaport Clark:

"We stand with champions in the Senate in opposing this underhanded budget scam to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. It is unnecessary and simply wrong to destroy an incomparable wilderness that serves as our nation’s most important polar bear nursery, provides essential habitat for the world-renowned Porcupine caribou herd and supports more than 200 species of migratory birds. Enough is enough. All Americans have a stake in protecting this vital refuge. Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling won’t balance the budget, but it will break the trust of the American people who object to a greedy few robbing us of our irreplaceable natural heritage."

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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