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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> abcorgs@npogroups.org [mailto:abcorgs@npogroups.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Steve Holmer<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 14, 2013 10:44 AM<br><b>To:</b> abcorgs@npogroups.org<br><b>Subject:</b> ABC Job Notice: International Conservation Program Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=623 valign=top style='width:467.5pt;border:solid white 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='color:black'><img width=780 height=149 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.png@01CE98DB.3C160960"></span></b><span class=h11><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span class=h11><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>American Bird Conservancy Job Notices and Conservation Updates<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:.6in'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>International Conservation Program Officer</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:.6in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:.6in'>American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is looking for a high-energy individual who is able to work effectively in partnership to develop and direct bird conservation programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. This International Conservation Program Office will focus his/her work on one or more of the following regions: Brazil, Mexico, Central America and/or the Caribbean. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:.6in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:.6in'>The International Conservation Program Officer develops and coordinates a portion of ABC's international field conservation projects focused on threatened species, priority neotropical migrants, and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites across Latin America and the Caribbean. The International Conservation Program Officer works with a network of ABC in-country partners to carry out ambitious, effective and integrated conservation projects. The position requires excellent conservation and project management experience, organizational and writing skills, and a broad knowledge of ABC’s mission, objectives, and programs. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:.6in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:.6in'>For more details see <a href="http://www.abcbirds.org/aboutabc/vacancies/position_international_conservation_officer.html">http://www.abcbirds.org/aboutabc/vacancies/position_international_conservation_officer.html</a>. The position will be based in the Greater Washington, DC/Northern Virginia area. Please send a cover letter and resume by email to <a href="mailto:hr@abcbirds.org">hr@abcbirds.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span class=h11><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Wind Campaign Coordinator </span></span><span class=h11><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is looking for a high-energy individual who is able to work effectively in partnership to address the impacts of wind development on birds. ABC supports wind power when it is bird-smart, and believes that birds and wind power can co-exist. Bird-smart wind power employs careful siting, operation and construction mitigation, bird monitoring, and compensation, to reduce and redress any unavoidable bird mortality and habitat loss. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>The Wind Campaign Coordinator will develop and </span>coordinate ABC's bird-smart wind campaign to minimize the impact <span style='color:black'>to birds caused by the development of wind power. The Coordinator will work closely with other ABC program staff and with supervision from Vice President for Conservation Advocacy. </span>The<span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'>work will focus on establishing mandatory regulations to protect birds at wind farms; addressing the most poorly sited wind projects; and engaging with conservation plans and regulatory processes to protect endangered species, eagles, and other birds. The position requires excellent communication and project management experience, organizational and writing skills, and a broad knowledge of ABC’s mission, objectives, and programs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>See </span><a href="http://www.abcbirds.org/aboutabc/vacancies/position_wind_coordinator.html">http://www.abcbirds.org/aboutabc/vacancies/position_wind_coordinator.html</a><span style='color:black'> for complete list of duties and requirements. Please send a cover letter and resume to: </span><a href="mailto:hr@abcbirds.org">hr@abcbirds.org</a><span style='color:black'> by August 22, 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:#006263;padding:.6pt .6pt .6pt .6pt'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border:solid #006263 1.0pt'><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:white'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='color:black'><img border=0 width=835 height=184 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.jpg@01CE98DB.3C160960" alt="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs171/1101567824866/img/722.jpg"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><a name=LETTER.BLOCK4></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:white;border:solid #006263 1.0pt;display:table;background-position-x:50%;background-position-y:0%' id="content_LETTER.BLOCK4"><tr><td style='border:solid #006263 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt'><p style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Special sessions at the 5th International Partners in Flight Conference - nine in total -- have something for everyone, including: </span><em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%'>A Western Hemisphere Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for All Birds</span></em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>; </span><em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%'>Understanding and Overcoming the Social Challenges of Bird Conservation</span></em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>; and</span><em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%'> Migration Stopover and Bottlenecks for Long-distance Migrants within the Western Hemisphere</span></em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>. <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mCoKQshdfXGuAODErECpi-8fRNCFFnEfZ0LrGwgu2W4rZxnqixMcAOBfx6rHLvV23HX8Upm3wJOO0LeJ3ZOh4k8G3wiNXr7ZkKtWIJH84ziSQXZfDAcpNcLRkyFo6PZZx144bKMP1BJ9eH4Tt0OeUFFxDYtq6cs7" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the full schedule of special sessions. </span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%' id="content_LETTER.BLOCK27"><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:6.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:white'><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mCoKQshdfXF9kDuvMXjrfUBfQlVLRxlsbkmAt9HmrzE5-JuUYTLaBj0tPSipWcv7W7e5i3qMsX31RFUPl3h3npB2HNooWgQ7tqr1EY_lz_1TzfD7oLXr8LnI6hYlkKtS" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:white'>www.PIFV.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:#006263;ih-name:;background-position-x:50%;background-position-y:0%'><tr><td width=400 valign=top style='width:300.0pt;padding:9.0pt 9.0pt 9.0pt 9.0pt'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr></table></td><td width=200 valign=top style='width:150.0pt;padding:9.0pt 9.0pt 9.0pt 9.0pt'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Cornell and ABC Opinion Editorial in Support of Conservation Programs in the Farm Bill<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=entry-title><b><i><span lang=EN>The Washington Post</span></i></b></span><span class=entry-title><b><span lang=EN> - Bad for the birds, bad for all of us</span></b></span><span class=entry-title><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/bad-for-the-birds-bad-for-all-of-us/2013/08/08/d5a11a34-ff83-11e2-9a3e-916de805f65d_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/bad-for-the-birds-bad-for-all-of-us/2013/08/08/d5a11a34-ff83-11e2-9a3e-916de805f65d_story.html</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=623 valign=top style='width:467.5pt;border:solid white 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:red'>ACTION ALERT…..ACTION ALERT…..ACTION ALERT…..ACTION ALERT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=622 height=156 src="cid:image003.png@01CE98DB.3C160960" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"><![endif]><!--[if gte vml 1]></o:wrapblock><![endif]--><br style='mso-ignore:vglayout' clear=ALL><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Valued Conservation Partner:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last month the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee <u>eliminated</u> funding for the following popular and highly successful grant programs for next fiscal year:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>North American Wetland Conservation Fund</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Forest Legacy Program</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Land and Water Conservation Fund</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>These programs have conserved some of our nation’s rarest and most cherished fish and wildlife, restored vital wetlands and protected priority forests, grasslands, coasts and other important habitats. <u>Complete elimination of funding for these popular programs is unprecedented!</u><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need your help to convince appropriators in the <b>US House</b> and <b>US Senate</b> how important these programs are to fish and wildlife and request <u>that funding be restored for the next fiscal year which is set to begin on October 1<sup>st</sup>.</u> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below and attached is a national sign-on letter supporting these vital programs. Please consider adding your organization’s name to this letter so we can demonstrate that these programs have broad support amongst birders, hikers, hunters, anglers, paddlers, conservation educators and others who use and enjoy the outdoors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To sign on to this letter, send an email with your organization’s name and state to <a href="mailto:twwintern@fishwildlife.org">twwintern@fishwildlife.org</a> by Friday August 30<sup>th</sup>. Zeroing out these programs would have serious consequences for fish and wildlife conservation. Help be a voice for fish and wildlife and the natural areas that they need to exist.<o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;color:red'>[Date inserted Here]<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The Honorable Jack Reed, Chairman<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The Honorable Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Senate Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Senate Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>728 Hart Senate Office Building<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>709 Hart Senate Office Building<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Washington DC 20510<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Washington DC 20510<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The Honorable Mike Simpson, Chairman<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The Honorable Jim Moran, Ranking Member<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>House Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>House Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>2312 Rayburn House Office Building<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>2252 Rayburn House Office Building<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Washington DC 20515<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=319 valign=top style='width:239.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Washington DC 20515<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>Dear Senators Reed and Murkowski & Congressmen Simpson & Moran:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>On behalf of the millions of outdoor recreationists our organizations represent, we wish to express our support for the <b>State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, North American Wetland Conservation Fund, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, Forest Legacy Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund</b>.<b> </b>We are concerned that the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee proposed to eliminate funding for these successful and important fish and wildlife conservation programs next fiscal year. Elimination of funding will have significant impacts to collaborative on-the-ground conservation in communities nationwide resulting in more federal endangered species listings, fewer restored wetlands, further imperiled migratory birds, less protection for forests and other key habitats and diminished outdoor recreation opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>We appreciate the need to reduce the size of the federal deficit and the difficult choices that you face. However, these programs are priorities and we believe they have done their fair share to help balance the budget after being cut by more than 25% in the last several years. Continued disproportionate cuts in the current budget under consideration will further rollback conservation work that serves the national interests of fish and wildlife conservation, creation of non-exportable jobs and delivery of essential services such as clean water and air and storm protection to current and future generations <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>Investments in natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation total less than 1% of all discretionary spending, a percentage that has been declining for decades. Grant programs represent an even smaller percentage of this total but are unique in that they leverage hundreds of millions in state, local and private dollars. According to the US Census Bureau, 90 million US residents participate in fish and wildlife recreation, spending over $150 billion annually. Federal grant programs help ensure these consumers have sustainable fish and wildlife populations to view, hunt and fish. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>We strongly encourage you to work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions to the budget problem that do not further harm successful and publicly supported conservation grant programs that help fuel the outdoor recreation economic engine. Thank you for your time & consideration. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>Sincerely, </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>[Your Organization’s Name Here]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mark Humpert, Wildlife Diversity Director<span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Anne Law, Deputy Director of Conservation Advocacy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>American Bird Conservancy<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>To be removed from the list, send any message to:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <a href="mailto:abcorgs-unsubscribe@npogroups.org">abcorgs-unsubscribe@npogroups.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Holmer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Senior Policy Advisor <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>American Bird Conservancy &<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Director, Bird Conservation Alliance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202-234-7181 ext. 216<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:sholmer@abcbirds.org"><span style='color:blue'>sholmer@abcbirds.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Skype: <span style='color:#1F497D'>sholmerabc<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="www.abcbirds.org"><span style='color:blue'>www.abcbirds.org</span></a>, <a href="www.birdconservationalliance.org"><span style='color:blue'>www.birdconservationalliance.org</span></a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Bird-Conservancy/136126341809"><span style='color:blue'>ABC on Facebook</span></a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/abcbirds"><span style='color:blue'>ABC Videos</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=1025 height=196 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image005.jpg@01CE98DB.3C160960" alt=letterhead><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>