Refuge System Advocacy

The Friends stand with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

This administration’s mass firing of US Fish & Wildlife Service employees will have devastating impacts on our public lands across the country, including the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex. With fewer biologists, natural resources professionals, and park rangers – habitats will degrade, endangered species will go unmonitored, trails will remain unmaintained and become subject to vandalism, and visitors will lose access to environmental education and recreation opportunities. These cuts put communities, ecosystems, and outdoor recreation at risk. Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge stand in solidarity with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, our closest partner, and the reason for our work. We urge all who love our public lands to speak out by contacting your elected representatives. Our lands, waters, and wildlife – and future generations that will learn from and enjoy them – deserve better.

Thank Members of Congress for the Public Lands Caucus

U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) announced the launch of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, focused on conserving America’s public lands and expanding access for all Americans. The caucus will build upon the trusted working relationship between Vasquez and Zinke, forged over the past two years, partnering on conservation legislation.

The Public Lands Caucus is founded on the belief that public lands are “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” It will bring lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance practical, consensus-driven public lands policy that conserves natural resources while supporting recreation, local economies, and public access. Caucus members are committed to bridging ideological divides and advancing pragmatic solutions to protect and manage public lands.

Public Lands Caucus Membership List:

The caucus currently has 16 Members from both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) – Founding Member, Co-Chair

Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-01) – Founding Member, Co-Chair

Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) – Founding Member, Vice Chair

Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02) – Founding Member, Vice-Chair

Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25)

Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11)

Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02)

Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02)

Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06)

Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02)

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04)

Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04)

Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03)

Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)

Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01)

Rep. David Valadao (CA-22)

Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04)

Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23)

 

Two Action Requests:

1. Call the Founding Members and thank them for establishing this caucus.

* Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) – 202.225.2365

* Ryan Zinke (MT-01) – 202.225.5628

* Debbie Dingell (MI-06) – 202.225.4071

* Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02) – 202.225.5531

2. If your representative is a member of the caucus, please thank them. If your representative is not on the list, please call them and urge them to join the caucus that is working to keep our public lands in public lands. If you do not know your representatives phone number go to https://www.house.gov/representatives<https://track.pstmrk.it/3s/coalitionofrefugefriends.com%3Fns_url%3D25cy%26mid%3D4050%26fch%3Dfc2c7e4e/XMzo/p_i9AQ/AQ/414ff656-f1fb-4347-b509-aff189aa0c95/1/uGcenf_O_j>.

 

Please take five minutes and make these calls. This small commitment of time will go a long way to building a robust caucus. Thank you!