The National Wildlife Refuge System is at a breaking point but the President’s FY2026 budget proposes funding the Refuge System at just $412 million—a 22% cut from current funding. The last time the Refuge System’s budget was this small was 2007. To put it in perspective, the FY2010 number adjusted for inflation would be over $730 million today.
We need Congress to act—and we need you with us.
We’re calling on the Senate to provide $731 million in FY2026 to restore the Refuge System’s budget to 2010 levels, adjusted for inflation. Without this investment, more staff will be lost, invasive species will spread unchecked, and critical programs for wildlife and communities will disappear.
95 Friends groups signed the House version of this letter in April.
Please note: This Senate letter is a repurposed version of the House letter so if you already signed onto that House letter, your organization will automatically be included in this Senate letter (so you do not need to sign on again). Please check the list of signers at the end of the letter to confirm your group is listed. (It’s okay to sign again if you’re not sure—we’ll avoid duplicates on our end.)
Sign on by Thursday, June 12 at 11:59 PM ET.
Download the Senate Letter with Signers>>
Sign-On Here by June 12th at 11:59 PM ET
Let’s show the Senate that Refuge Friends from across the country are united—and will not stand by as our refuges are pushed past the breaking point.
Thank you for all you do for national wildlife refuges,
Desirée Sorenson-Groves
President & CEO
National Wildlife Refuge Association
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