The 2011 – 2012 Duck Stamp was painted by James Hautman of Minnesota

Ever since the first Duck Stamp was issued in 1934, the annual Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp has been a popular collectors item for hunters and non-hunters alike.

Today, the Duck Stamp also serves as an admission pass for all refuges that charge an entrance fee.

Haven’t bought yours yet? Buy one today! The Refuge System—and all the birds and other wildlife that call them home—will thank you!

Budgetary threats to our already under-funded National Wildlife Refuge System have never been greater than they are now. At no time in NWRA’s history has the necessity to educate lawmakers about the importance of the Refuge System been more urgent. In early August, the President signed into law a bill that raises our nation’s debt ceiling and mandates more than $2 trillion in funding cuts over the next 10 years. And during “down time” on the debt ceiling debate, the U.S. House of Representatives considered the funding bill for the Interior Department for the next fiscal year (FY12, beginning Oct 1), which contained severe cuts to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System and most conservation programs. After passing the debt ceiling bill, both the House and Senate adjourned for the August recess, leaving Interior spending decisions on the table until after Congress returns in early September. NWRA has closely followed both the debt reduction and FY Interior budget debates, and the outlook for refuges and other key conservation programs is undeniably negative.

Draconian budget cuts will close many wildlife refuges to visitors and limit visitor services.

Debt Ceiling & Reduction Bill: The first $917 billion in spending cuts triggered in the debt-ceiling bill will be to discretionary programs, where all conservation programs fall, including the National Wildlife Refuge System. The second stage of reductions, more than $1.2 trillion, will be to both discretionary programs (which must be appropriated every year and are at the discretion of Congress) and mandatory spending (which is not subject to annual appropriations, such as entitlement programs – Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security), and will be determined by a “super committee” of 12 lawmakers, six from the House and six from the Senate, with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats. The Refuge System will need the help of NWRA, Friends, conservation partners, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and other concerned individuals to ensure that members of the super committee understand the vital role refuges and all our public lands play in our nation’s economy and our health. We will keep you updated, and will be contacting you often to urge you and every other refuge supporter to take action on behalf the refuges you love. We’ll be counting on your help!

FY 2012 Interior Spending Bill: When the House returns, they will likely not have enough time to complete work on the Interior bill and will instead look to bundle it together with several other spending bills and pass them as an omnibus; alternatively, they could pass a short, one or two month, continuing resolution or “CR” awaiting the outcome of the Super Committee. That means that the current House-proposed funding level for the Refuge System, $455 million, will be the starting point when budget negotiations resume.
Based on the House bill that was being debated before the August recess, we believe that the Refuge System is in great peril unless refuge supporters take action. The House proposal would:

• CLOSE entirely or significantly reduce programs at 128 National Wildlife Refuges
• ELIMINATE 275 Refuge Staff Positions
• ELIMINATE virtually any new land acquisitions or conservation easements under the Land and Water Conservation Fund
• ELIMINATE 40 law enforcement officers (at a time when the Refuge System has only 213 of the 845 officers needed to patrol its 150 million acres)

We will continue to closely follow the budget negotiations, and will keep you informed of opportunities to make your voice heard. Right now, you can help by attending “town meetings” in your state during August to advocate for refuge funding, and by using our Refuge Action Network can contact your U.S. Representative and your 2 U.S. Senators to urge their support of the Refuge System.