As Chair of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation is happy to announce the addition of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to this vital coalition. 

CARE now contains 24 wildlife, sporting, scientific, and conservation organizations that span the political spectrum, representing greater than 16 million People who worth out of doors recreation and wildlife conservation. CARE represents birders, hunters, anglers, biologists, fish and wildlife professionals, environmentalists, scientists, professors, college students, and rather more. 

CARE was created in 1995 to convey collectively these disparate teams round shared values and their love of wildlife to be able to advocate for elevated funding for the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System — lands the place wildlife and people can thrive. 

“Sportsmen and ladies have a proud historical past with our Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System, from the designation of the very first unit at Pelican Island and creation of the federal duck stamp to efforts presently underway to increase the system and improve public entry. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers acknowledges the vital position of refuges in offering habitat for fish, wildlife, and migratory hen species,” says John Gale, Conservation Director. “Consequently, we’re excited to affix the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement and to work with CARE members to advocate for the Refuge System and the worth it brings all People. With elevated refuge visitation far outpacing appropriated administration funds, an alliance of various stakeholders like CARE is vital to assist safe elevated funding for the Refuge System so it will possibly proceed its mission of conservation.”

The Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation seems ahead to this new partnership with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers—an vital voice for public lands, waters, and wildlife—and dealing collectively inside CARE to extend much-needed help for the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System.