[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 610 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 610

   Expressing support for the designation of September 29, 2019, as 
                  National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 27, 2019

  Mr. Wittman (for himself and Mr. Jeffries) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support for the designation of September 29, 2019, as 
                  National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day.

Whereas today over 80 percent of Americans live in or near cities with limited 
        opportunities to access nature or experience outdoor recreation;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that youth ages 8 
        to 18 spend on average between 6 to 9 hours a day in front of screens;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System, within the United States Fish and 
        Wildlife Service, manages 567 national wildlife refuges, a national 
        network of lands and waters managed for the benefit of America's fish, 
        wildlife, and plants;
Whereas national wildlife refuges provide opportunities for children and people 
        of all ages to discover and gain a greater appreciation for the natural 
        world and the fact that there is a refuge located within a 1-hour drive 
        of every metropolitan area in the United States;
Whereas the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program within the United States Fish 
        and Wildlife Service is an innovative model that centers on introducing 
        Americans living in densely populated areas to the over 100 national 
        wildlife refuges near urban areas and that provides a strategic 
        opportunity to promote wildlife conservation and enjoyment of hunting, 
        fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation in the heart of where 
        people live;
Whereas urban wildlife refuges enhance and celebrate the grassroots efforts of 
        local communities to protect local watersheds and ecosystems;
Whereas the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program focuses on public-private 
        partnerships to deliver greater wildlife conservation and access to 
        recreation, including outdoor traditions like hunting and fishing, both 
        on and off national wildlife refuges, collaborating and aligning with 
        local efforts to enhance the visitor experience;
Whereas by being a good neighbor, exploring community-centered approaches to 
        address local needs, reaching out to the next generation of anglers and 
        hunters, and providing infrastructure and safe access, the Urban 
        Wildlife Conservation Program works to empower local organizations, 
        cities, and towns across the country to support innovative, community-
        based conservation; and
Whereas September 29 would be an appropriate day to establish as National Urban 
        Wildlife Refuge Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of National Urban Wildlife 
        Refuge Day;
            (2) encourages the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
        to increase access and provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive 
        environment for outdoor recreational opportunities for urban 
        communities;
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to visit and 
        experience the more than 100 urban national wildlife refuges of 
        the United States; and
            (4) affirms the support of the House of Representatives for 
        the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program within the United 
        States Fish and Wildlife Service.
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