February 3, 2010 (WASHINGTON, DC) - Member organizations of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (C.A.R.E), including the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), reaffirmed their commitment to the National Wildlife Refuge System today in a meeting at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI).

Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, Sam Hamilton, and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks and DOI Chief of Staff Tom Strickland spoke to the members about the importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the collective efforts of the C.A.R.E. coalition to support necessary funding to the system.

"The conservation agenda for the 21st century should surpass the conservation agenda that goes back to the days of Theodore Roosevelt," said Secretary Salazar. "We are doing some heavy lifting against the backdrop of huge budget deficits, including funding for the refuge system and DOI in general."

"Sportsmen's access to America's refuge system is a key to maintaining sportsmen support, especially in light of the fact that waterfowl hunters help pay for the refuge system through the federal duck stamp program," said CSF President Jeff Crane.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of C.A.R.E as it was created in 1995 as a loose coalition of diverse organizations concerned about the ability of our National Wildlife Refuges to fulfill their missions. C.A.R.E has worked together as a coalition representing over 15 million Americans who enjoy wildlife refuges for hunting, fishing, and conservation and whose purpose is to increase the level of operations and maintenance funding for the 150 million acre system.

With support from CSF through the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, along with the other member organizations of C.A.R.E., the system has received a steady increase of funding, and C.A.R. E. has requested $578 million in operations and maintenance funding for 2011, which is an increase of $75 million over FY 2010.

"A more targeted approach with engagement by sportsmen might broaden bipartisan appeal on Capitol Hill, potentially leading to the increased funding sought by the C.A.R.E. partners," offered Strickland.

The current members of CARE are:

American Birding Association
American Fisheries Society
American Sportfishing Association
Assateague Coastal Trust
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
Defenders of Wildlife
Ducks Unlimited
Izaak Walton League of America
National Audubon Society
National Rifle Association of America
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Refuge Association
Safari Club International
The Corps Network
The Nature Conservancy
The Wilderness Society
The Wildlife Society
Trout Unlimited
U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Management Institute