Re: [cobirds] Re: Proposed Funding Elimination for USGS Biological -- Including Bird Banding Lab & Breeding Bird Survey

Thank you.

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Buzz Schaumberg 

On Friday, May 23, 2025, 8:15 PM, Megan Jones Patterson <mtns4meg@gmail.com> wrote:

Several people responded asking if the rally was recorded and I didn't know at the time.  After the rally, I did receive a recording link.  If you missed it, you can find the recording here: https://youtu.be/eygfZtrMh2Y?si=w8cik8wfJrfz8w-2  (on National Wildlife Federation's YouTube Channel).  

If you aren't familiar with the breadth of biological research that occurs at USGS and the programs that you interact with (from birds to bees to fisheries and more) but may not know they come out of USGS, the 9 speakers provide a great overview of why this mission area is so important.  

Megan

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Megan Jones Patterson

Boulder County, Colorado

On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM Megan Jones Patterson <mtns4meg@gmail.com> wrote:

Event tomorrow Thursday May 22nd at 10-11am MDT.  Many professional societies are collaborating on a virtual rally you can join --Virtual Rally for the Cornerstone of Conservation Science! Hear from an incredible lineup of speakers, including renowned conservation leaders and authors Dr. J. Drew Lanham and Kenn Kaufman.

Funding cuts eliminating the USGS Ecological Systems Mission Area (basically all biological research through USGS) are proposed. These cuts would eliminate many of the programs we rely on here in Colorado (and across the US) as we conduct research, monitor, and conserve birds. Programs we regularly interact with that would lose funding include the Breeding Bird Lab (yes -- basically all bird banding in the US), Breeding Bird Survey, and many other programs.

Learn More about the Proposed Cuts: 

• You can learn more about the proposed funding cuts in this April 18 Science article:  https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-swings-budget-ax-usgs-biology-research 
• Update from the Ornithological Council on May 12-- "Late last week, the Ornithological Council once again joined dozens of other societies to express strong support for the U.S. Geological Survey's Ecosystems Mission Area. In letters to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Natural Resources Committee, the societies asked that Congress fully fund the Ecosystems Mission Area at the FY25 funding level in the FY26 federal budget, so that USGS can continue its critical work of maintaining our nation's natural resources, ensuring environmental health, and protecting public health. The societies previously sent a joint letter to the Secretary of the Interior regarding the Ecosystems Management Area. 

  The Ecosystems Mission Area, with its $307 million annual budget, supports critical biological research on endangered species, climate change, disease, and wildlife conservation. The Office of Management and Budget has directed USGS to gradually shutdown the program, affecting about 1,200 USGS scientists and staff. 

  The Bird Banding Laboratory and the Breeding Bird Survey are both housed by the Ecosystems Mission Area and are critical to the functions of Federal and State wildlife agencies, Migratory Bird Flyway Councils, and non-governmental organizations.

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This event is co-sponsored by American Fisheries Society, Ecological Society of America, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Society for Conservation Biology North America, The Wildlife Society, Entomological Society of America, American Bird Conservancy, Atlanta Botanical Garden, America the Beautiful for All Coalition, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Southeast Plant Conservation Alliance, NatureServe, and the Center for Plant Conservation.

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Thank you,
Megan
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Megan Jones Patterson
Boulder County, CO

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