The National Wildlife Refuge Association truly appreciates all the Friends and Friends Groups who submitted testimony to the House and Senate last spring. We are *still* waiting to see the results of that push for increased funding since Congress has still not passed an FY2022 appropriations bill. The House of Representatives, however, is beginning their Fiscal Year 2023 push without any final FY2022 numbers and without the release of the President’s Budget Request (which we are expecting any day).
The testimony is due next Thursday, March 10th, by 5 pm ET. It can be as long (up to 4 pages) or as short as you like. Even a few paragraphs will be helpful! Instructions for submission are here. This deadline is only for the House of Representatives. Senate testimony is due later on at a date TBD, and the same testimony can be used for that as well (with easy edits for the correct committee). I will send another email when we know that deadline.
Testimony can be submitted by Refuge Friends Groups OR by individuals as members or supporters of a national wildlife refuge/the National Wildlife Refuge System.
We are asking each of you to put at least two items in your written testimony:
The importance of your local national wildlife refuge, and what it offers to the community and to wildlife.
Your support for the overall National Wildlife Refuge System to which your refuge belongs, with an ask of $712 million in FY 2023.
It is very important that we show the committee how much Friends Groups and members care about funding for the Refuge System. All of you have refuges that are understaffed and under-maintained and desperately in need of funding. It is critical that we get a huge increase for the Refuge System this year. This is why we are asking for $712 million for the next fiscal year.
WHAT TO SUBMIT: All 3 items must be attached to the email for it to be accepted:
Your final written testimony in PDF form with the information noted above (see attached sample testimony)
Witness disclosure form (see the attached PDF to which I have notes that I hope are helpful)
A biography, resume, or CV. (See my attached bio, so you know how short it can be. You can attach a full resume/CV if you prefer.)
All testimony goes to IN.Approp@mail.house.gov They are very good at confirming receipt, so if you don’t get confirmation, something might have gone wrong.
Below is some more information that might be helpful if you would like to look at previous years’ testimonies.
NOTE: Please use the information in the attached Word document’s Sample Testimony. The chair of the committee changed a year ago, so the previous years’ testimony list the old committee chairwoman. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine is the new chairwoman, so make sure your testimony is addressed to Chair Pingree and Ranking Member Joyce. Use the attached template for the correct heading.
You can find the FY2023 Instructions here.
FY2021 Appropriations Past Examples
Justin Hall— Friends of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Comple
Bill Durkin— Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
FY2020 Appropriations Past Examples
If you have ANY questions, please let us know by reaching out to Caroline Brouwer, Vice President, Government Affairs! Or if you would like us to review your testimony prior to submission, send it over!