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

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 610 Expressing support for the designation of September 29, 2019, as National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day. 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 expe- rience 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:20 Sep 27, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR610.IH HR610 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 610 IH 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 enjoy- ment 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 na- tional wildlife refuges, collaborating and aligning with local efforts to enhance the visitor experience; Whereas by being a good neighbor, exploring community-cen- tered approaches to address local needs, reaching out to the next generation of anglers and hunters, and providing infrastructure and safe access, the Urban Wildlife Con- servation Program works to empower local organizations, cities, and towns across the country to support innova- tive, community-based conservation; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:20 Sep 27, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR610.IH HR610 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 610 IH Whereas September 29 would be an appropriate day to estab- lish as National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the designation of National Urban 2 Wildlife Refuge Day; 3 (2) encourages the United States Fish and 4 Wildlife Service to increase access and provide a 5 safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for out- 6 door recreational opportunities for urban commu- 7 nities; 8 (3) encourages the people of the United States 9 to visit and experience the more than 100 urban na- 10 tional wildlife refuges of the United States; and 11 (4) affirms the support of the House of Rep- 12 resentatives for the Urban Wildlife Conservation 13 Program within the United States Fish and Wildlife 14 Service. 15 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:20 Sep 27, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR610.IH HR610 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS