Tell senators: Don't support reconciliation bill that cuts refuge funding

The reconciliation bill moving through Congress threatens the future of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and wildlife refuges nationwide. Both the House version and the President's budget propose massive cuts to refuge funding that would devastate our already understaffed Refuge System.

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The numbers are staggering: Over the past 15 years, visitation to refuges has increased by over 53% while staffing has decreased by 30%, leaving positions unfilled nationwide. Since January alone, the Refuge System has lost an additional 25% of staff. The National Wildlife Refuge Association estimates that only 1,700-1,800 Service staff are left to run the entire Refuge System — and now Congress wants to cut even more.

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The President's budget proposal would cut the already underfunded Refuge System by an additional 22%. If this 22% cut were applied at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, it would likely result in:

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• Further staff reductions in a system already operating with skeleton crews

• Fewer visitor programs including educational visits for children, birding and wildflower tours, and the Wildlife Festival

• Reduced trail maintenance and habitat management

• Potential closures of trails and and other public areas of the refuge

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Time is running out. The House has already passed its version that would gut the refuge, and now the Senate is working on its version. While the Senate bill is only in committee, when it passed in the House, it happened in the middle of the night with no prior warning. We can't afford to wait — our senators need to hear from you now.

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Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge was created for birds, wildlife, plants, and people — not budget politics. Tell Senator Smith and Senator Klobuchar they must oppose the reconciliation bill if it doesn't fully fund our wildlife refuges to maintain critical habitat conservation and properly serve visitors.

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Send your message in 2 simple steps

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1. Copy the message template and personalize it

   • Scroll down and copy the entire message template below

   • Go to your senator's contact form (links provided below)

   • Paste the message into their contact form

   • Replace [Senator name] with their actual name

   • Add 2-3 personal sentences about:

     • Why you care about the refuge

     • How you've used the refuge

     • Why conservation matters to you

   • Fill in your name, address, and telephone number at the bottom
      

2. Send to both senators

   • Hit "Send" on your first senators' form

   • Go to the second senator's form

   • Repeat Step 1 above and send your message

   • Bonus: Share this page on social media or call your senators directly (even more effective!)

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Message template for your legislators:

 

Dear Senator [Name],

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I am writing to urge you to oppose the reconciliation bill currently moving through Congress if it does not include full funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System, including our Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

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The proposed cuts to refuge funding would devastate wildlife refuges nationwide, including Sherburne. Over the past 15 years, refuge visitation has increased by over 53% while staffing has decreased by 30% with many jobs left unfilled. Since January alone, the system has lost an additional 25% of staff. Only an estimate 1,700-1,800 Service staff remain to manage the entire 573 Refuge System, and this bill will make it much worse.

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At Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, these cuts could mean fewer educational programs for children, reduced birding and nature tours for your constituents, less trail maintenance and habitat restoration, and potential closure of refuge areas. Our Refuge System is already operating with a skeleton crew — further cuts would be catastrophic.

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I urge you to stand firm against any reconciliation bill that does not fully fund our National Wildlife Refuge System. These refuges protect biodiversity, provide economic benefits to local communities, and offer much-needed recreational and education opportunities for Minnesotans.

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Our wildlife refuges were created for conservation and people — not budget politics. Please ensure full funding is restored before supporting any reconciliation bill.

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Sincerely,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]

[PHONE NUMBER]

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Contact your senators:

• Click here to email Minnesota Senator Tina Smith | (Or call Sen. Smith at 202-224-5641 and read your message aloud)

• Click here to email Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar | (Or call Sen. Klobuchar at 202-224-3244 and read your message aloud)

• If you don't live in Minnesota, visit the Senate's Contacting U.S. Senators webpage to locate your senators' contact information.

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Stay Informed

• Sign up for Action Alert emails

• Support the Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

 

Together, we can protect, conserve, and nurture appreciation for the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.