Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
The Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus (CWRC) is a large bi-partisan Congressional Member Organization in the U.S. House of Representatives formed to support the National Wildlife Refuge System through legislation, funding, and education.
History
The CWRC was established in September 2006 by Congressmen Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jim Saxton (R-NJ) along with vice co-chairs Michael Castle (R-DE) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) who called for prioritizing the National Wildlife Refuge System in the tradition of President Theodore Roosevelt, who established the first National Wildlife Refuge in 1903 [ref]. The formation of the CWRC was a direct response to budget shortfalls that have resulted in multi-billion dollar maintenance backlogs and staff shortages that, many agree, is preventing the Refuge System from fulfilling its basic mission.
The CWRC launched with 100 founding members and has grown to 137 members representing 41 States and 208 Wildlife Refuges as of June, 2007 [1].
Purpose
The mission of the CWRC is to fortify, protect and preserve the National Wildlife Refuge System by supporting adequate Refuge funding, working for the strategic growth of the Refuge System through easements and targeted land acquisition and by promoting legislation to improve the Refuge System. The CWRC also aims to educate members of Congress about the increasing number of challenges facing the System through briefings and other forms of outreach.
The purpose of the CWRC is to :
1. Raise awareness of our refuge system 2. Create a voice for refuges in Congress 3. Support adequate Refuge System budgets 4. Support the six priority activities outlined in the Refuge Improvement Act (hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, wildlife observation, environmental education and interpretation) 5. Supporting the strategic growth of the Refuge System
Legislative Activity
The CWRC co-chairs have introduced the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance & Immediate Response (REPAIR) Act, a bill aimed at reducing harmful non-native (invasive) species on land in and adjacent to National Wildlife Refuges. The REPAIR Act is intended to provide a cost-effective approach to maximize invasive species eradication efforts by establishing a grant program to combat invasive species and establish in law the highly successful Volunteer Invasives Monitoring Program (VIMP).
The Caucus also submits letters to federal appropriators and administration officials calling for specific dollar amounts in Refuge appropriations that help drive the Refuge funding discussion in Congress. The co-chairs also author op-ed pieces magazines and newspapers to educate the public on the challenges facing the Refuge System. Caucus members also play an active role in committee hearings concerning the National Wildlife Refuge System, primarily in the House Natural Resources Committee, to collect testimony from managers and experts on legislation concerning the Refuge System.
External References
1. Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) [2]
2. National Wildlife Refuge System [3]
3. National Wildlife Refuge Association [4]