Conservation of Public Lands | Veto Upholds Clean Water Act Protections

In this issue: Good news for Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our [web version](. [National Audubon Society]( AUDUBON ADVISORY April 2023 [Sage Thrasher in a shrub, beak open in song.]( [New Public Lands Proposal Will Balance Development With Conservation]( A draft rule from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would prioritize the health and resilience of ecosystems across public lands. For decades, the agency has largely focused on oil and gas, mining, and other extractive uses. These uses must be balanced with conservation, recreation, wildlife, watersheds, and cultural resource protection. [Read more]( Sage Thrasher. [Wood Thrush perched on a tree branch with its beak open in song.]( [Audubon Welcomes a New Vice President of Government Affairs]( Felice Stadler, a seasoned conservation leader with more than two decades of experience in the environmental policy field, joined Audubon this month to lead our federal lobbying efforts and advance policy strategy across our hemispheric conservation efforts. [Read more]( Wood Thrush. [A Great Blue Heron wades in shallow water with its wings outstretched]( [President Vetoes Congressional Attempt to Remove Water Protections]( Last week, President Biden vetoed a Congressional resolution that aimed to remove protections for wetlands and seasonal streams from the Clean Water Act. We need to protect all remaining waterways—including wetlands and streams—from pollution and degradation in the face of climate change, drought, and development. Separately, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling soon on a Clean Water Act case, potentially deciding whether these smaller waterways remain protected. [Read more]( Great Blue Heron. [U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, poses for a group photo with Policy staff from across the National Audubon Society on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.]( [Flying In From Around the Country to Advocate for Birds]( For the first time in three years, Audubon staff from around the country gathered in Washington, DC to meet with policy makers about issues affecting birds and communities, including the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act and voluntary land conservation programs in the Farm Bill. [Read more]( U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), center, with Policy staff from Audubon in Washington, D.C. News from the Flyways - [Arizona: What’s in a Bird (and People) Budget for Arizona?]( - [California: Salton Sea Partnership Calls on Governor to Commit to Measurable Progress]( - [Colorado: Stream Restoration Legislation [Watch! Legislator Webinar, Part 2]]( - [Florida: EagleWatch Celebrates 30 Years of Raptor Conservation]( - [Mississippi: Governor Permanently Designates April ‘Native Plant Month’]( - [Nevada: New National Monument Protects Bird Habitat in Mojave Desert]( - [New Mexico: Conservation Fund Created to Protect Rivers, Wildlife, and More]( - [South Carolina: Audubon Advocates Lobby at the State House]( - [Utah: Church Donates Water to Benefit Great Salt Lake]( - [Western Water: Negative Impacts of Water Shortages Will Be Vast]( Impact Updates [Rufous Hummingbird hovers in flight next to a flowering purple plant.]( [Climate Corner]( Our expertise in studying birds leaves no doubt that climate change affects the habitats they need to survive. The United Nations’ new IPCC report warns that the stakes are higher than ever, but there’s still time to act and sustain a livable planet for birds and people. For Earth Day, Vice President of Climate Sarah Rose looks at how Audubon is advocating for on the ground solutions and supporting pathways for aggressive reduction in carbon pollution. [Read more]( Rufous Hummingbird. [Steller's Eider, wading into shallow water.] Your Actions at Work Good news! Last month, the Department of the Interior announced that it was withdrawing a land swap authorized in 2019 that would have allowed the construction of an 11-mile gravel road through the heart of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. More than 32,000 Audubon members sent letters to oppose the land swap, which would have threatened one of the most important migratory bird staging and wintering habitats in the world. We will need you to speak out again when a new environmental analysis process on this issue begins, but in the meantime, we wanted to celebrate this important win. Steller's Eider. Photos from top: Evan Barrientos/Audubon Rockies; Linnet Tse/Audubon Photography Awards; Bonnie Block/Audubon Photography Awards; Luke Franke/Audubon; Melina Cronin/Audubon Photography Awards (left); Mick Thompson (right) [Join the Audubon Action Network]( Join our Action Network to receive periodic action alerts that connect you with decision makers when your voice matters the most. CONNECT WITH US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [DONATE]( [ADVOCATE]( [GET TEXT UPDATES]( National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 USA [(844) 428-3826](#) | [audubon.org]( © 2023 National Audubon Society, Inc. [Update your email address or unsubscribe](