Linda Nixon, 2018 and Communications Director
July 2022 UPDATE –
Hello BPTMN Members!
As you probably already know, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide $1.3 billion per year to states, and $97.5 million to tribal nations, from existing revenues to fund wildlife conservation, habitat management and restoration, outdoor recreation, and education programs. Of this, Texas would be eligible for more than $50 million per year to implement the Texas Conservation Action Plan and help stabilize the at-risk species in our state.
Update on Status of the Act:
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act on a bipartisan vote of 231-190. This historic vote was a direct result of your advocacy, joining with the diverse coalition of businesses, sporting and environmental organizations, and Tribal nations calling on Congress to address the biodiversity crisis and preserve our wildlife heritage.
What YOU Can Do Now:
Now, we need to encourage the Senate to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. The strongly bipartisan bill S.2372 is a game-changer that will allow us to pass our nation’s heritage to future generations.
Please consider sending an urgent message to our Texas Senators to encourage them to support this bill:
Senator Ted Cruz
Send a note through his website:
Send Senator Cruz a card or letter:
404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510
Senator John Cornyn
Send a note through his website:
Send Senator Cornyn a card or letter:
517 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510
IMPORTANT NOTE: In your role as a Texas Master Naturalist you are prohibited from advocating or promoting political agendas, including federal funding bills like H.R.2773 and S. 2372 per our TMN Bylaws:
TMN BYLAWS Article II.B. Advocacy Prohibition. No part of the activities of the Chapter shall be devoted to advocacy, lobbying, politically or privately promoting issues, agendas or businesses and personal endeavors, by propaganda or otherwise, using the Master Naturalist name or themselves as a Texas Master Naturalist.
HOWEVER, as an individual, private American citizen you are absolutely free to be an advocate for this Act! Just remember, in any communications of support for these bills you are “Joe or Jane Public,” not “Texas Master Naturalist Joe or Jane.”
Links for More Information:
A link to the TMN Tuesday May 2022 recording – https://txmn.tamu.edu/tmntuesdays/#may2022
The current House Bill – https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2773
The current Senate Bill – https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2372/related-bills?r=53
Texas Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife – https://www.txwildlifealliance.org/take-action
Linda Nixon
BPTMN Communications Director
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The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide $1.3 billion per year to states, and $97.5 million to tribal nations, from existing revenues to fund wildlife conservation, habitat management and restoration, outdoor recreation, and education programs. Of this, Texas would be eligible for more than $50 million per year to implement the Texas Conservation Action Plan and help stabilize the at-risk species in our state.
Current status of the Act:
- Has bi-partisan support, with 134 co-sponsors in the House, 34 co-sponsors in the Senate.
- The Act is out of committee in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. In the coming weeks, we expect this groundbreaking legislation to move to the House and Senate floors for full chamber votes.
What YOU Can Do
Learn More at the Act
Watch the May 10 TMN Tuesday recorded presentation “Crossing the Finish Line: Recovering America’s Wildlife Act” with Richard Heilbrun. See link to recording below.
Beat the Drum
IMPORTANT NOTE: In your role as a Texas Master Naturalist you are prohibited from advocating or promoting political agendas, including federal funding bills like H.R.2773 and S. 2372 per our TMN Bylaws:
TMN BYLAWS Article II.B. Advocacy Prohibition. No part of the activities of the Chapter shall be devoted to advocacy, lobbying, politically or privately promoting issues, agendas or businesses and personal endeavors, by propaganda or otherwise, using the Master Naturalist name or themselves as a Texas Master Naturalist.
HOWEVER, as an individual, private American citizen you are absolutely free to be an advocate for this Act! Just remember, in any communications of support for these bills you are “Joe or Jane Public,” not “Texas Master Naturalist Joe or Jane.”
So, get busy and use your voice to help ensure that the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act crosses the finish line!
- Direct Requests to Congress: As a private citizen/constituent, generate personal asks to your members of Congress (Senate and House Reps) via email, snail mail, or phone (or via all 3 avenues). Make your message short and provide an example…”My name is X, I live in X, TX and I support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.” Please support this bill.”
- Activate Networks and influencers: As a private citizen, contact community leaders, local organizations asking they communicate their support for the bill to Congress.
Here are links to the TMN Tuesday recording, House and Senate bill details, and other good resources:
A link to the TMN Tuesday recording – https://txmn.tamu.edu/tmntuesdays/#may2022
The current House Bill – https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2773
The current Senate Bill – https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2372/related-bills?r=53
Who Represents Me? website – https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home
Texas Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife – https://www.txwildlifealliance.org/take-action
Communications regarding this bill should be submitted by Memorial Day, May 30, 2022.
Linda Nixon
BPTMN Communications Director
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