June 30th, 2016
The June 2016 Flyer E-Newsletter from the National Wildlife Refuge Association
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Summer is upon us, and with it comes the excitement of witnessing new life come into being throughout America’s national wildlife refuges. Breeding season is in full swing and whether it’s witnessing wood ducklings taking an inaugural jump or spotting a fawn tucked into the tall grass – we are privileged to experience the wonders of wildlife in some of the most special places on the planet.
This month was a month of celebration: we were thrilled to welcome the 565th national wildlife refuge into the Refuge System: the Bear River Watershed Conservation Area. A celebration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Ferry family of Corinne, Utah marked the occasion on June 28 in Brigham City.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, we celebrated the Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, our 2016 Molly Krival Friends Group of the Year at an event held at the refuge’s Discovery Center in Rochert, Minn. Back in Washington, efforts to pass an Interior Appropriations Bill are stalled along with other spending bills, as calls for gun reform in the wake of the Orlando shooting, emergency funding to address the Zika virus, and the urgency to pass debt relief legislation for Puerto Rico have preoccupied Congress and cast doubt on whether they will be able to pass any appropriations bills before the summer recess.
The good news is, it only takes a walk in the woods, or a stroll along a pond or field to be reminded that some of the most important work happening is in nature, and no stalemates in Congress will bring it to a halt. We sincerely hope you take time this summer to get outside and witness the beauty and wonder at your favorite national wildlife refuge.
Sincerely,
David Houghton, President
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