Annual Meeting Friends and Foundation Sector Agenda

We are finalizing plans for the Annual Meeting next week and look forward to seeing all of you who will be able to joins us!  On the resources and document page you will find the Friends and Foundations sector agenda.  This is the agenda for the time we have together as a group. To view the overall meeting agenda - which includes an overview of plenary or non-sector time, please visit the Annual Meeting web site. 


For those of you who are unable to join us - please let me know if you would like to join us virtually for any of the sessions during our sector time.  We will have conference call capabilities for most of our sessions.  Just send me an email and I will respond with more information on how to link in.  Please note that we will not be able to provide virtual connections for non-sector time (sessions outlined in the overall agenda).  

Restoration Sign On Letter

We would like to pass on the request to have organizations sign onto this letter, which asks our federal leaders to reject further funding cuts to restoration programs that provide the critical funding for the on-the-ground restoration of our environment and economy. (habitat support letter is also listed on our resources and documents page).

The request and information is provided by Diane Hoskins, Director of Government Relations, Restore America's Estuaries.  Diane urges organizations to sign on before COB Friday (November 8th).  

For more information, please read below and follow the link to the  letter, ---

Restoration funding is at risk.  Last year's Budget Control Act put in place decreasing budget caps that over time eliminate billions of dollars for non-defense discretionary programs. In addition,  the threat of across-the-board cuts in January - the sequester - only deepen these cuts over the next ten years.

As the letter says: "A sustained investment in restoration funding is required to keep projects on track to achieve long-term restoration goals and sequestration spells disaster for the communities, waters, and economies that rely on these programs."

We're working with Restore America's Estuaries to try to get hundreds of national, regional, and local organizations and businesses signed on.  We hope you will help promote this sign on opportunity through your networks. The letter will stay open for 4-weeks with a sign on deadline of Friday, November 9.  The letter will be sent to Capitol Hill and the Administration the following week, just as Congress returns for the post-election, lame duck session.  We are accepting organization or business level signon, not individual people.  

To sign on, please visit: www.estuaries.org/signon

 Current signers:

·         American Rivers

·         American Whitewater

·         Ducks Unlimited

·         National Audubon Society

·         National Parks Conservation Association

·         National Wildlife Federation

·         Outdoor Alliance

·         Outdoor Industry Association

·         Restore America's Estuaries