Raise Your Voice for Wildlife & Conservation
We need your help to ensure that the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) and the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act (EIA) are included in the end of year funding package. Please take a minute to contact your federal legislators today!
Why is This Important
RAWA and the EIA are both top federal priorities for the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT). These bills have the potential to be included in the end of year omnibus package that funds government operations, but we need you to reach out and encourage our Oregon delegation to ensure both of these priorities are included.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) would provide $1.3B for state and $97.5M for Tribes to protect and conserve non-game species.
The Easement Integrity Act (EIA) would close the tax loophole used by syndicators to siphon dollars away from conservation. Learn more about the EIA’s impact on land trusts.
Take Action
Contact your Senators and Representatives to let them know you support the passage of these bills before the end of the year.
Send your legislators a quick email or phone call using the contact information below.
Contact Information
| Dist. | Member | Contact Information |
| Oregon | Senator Wyden | Tax: Chris Arneson Enviro/Ag: Bobby Ahern |
| Oregon | Senator Merkley | Tax: Paola Marquez Energy/Climate: Ben Schreiber |
| OR 1 | Rep. Bonamici | Enviro: Morgan McCue Tax: Andrew Dunn |
| OR 3 | Rep. Blumenauer | Ag/Enviro: Kaila Hood |
| OR 4 | Rep. DeFazio | Enviro: Joey Kranitz |
| OR 5 | Rep. Schrader | Enviro: Simone Auger |
Sample Email Text
You can use this email template as a starting place, but we encourage you to personalize your message!
Dear Staffer Name,
I am reaching out to ask that Senator/Representative XXX support the passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) and the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act (EIA) before the end of the year.
These bills are critical to 1) stop the abuse of conservation easements and 2) increase funding for the protection of threatened and endangered species. At a time when we need conservation the most, I am urging you to work diligently to get these bills over the finish line!
Thank you for all of your work,
Your Name
Additional Information and Resources
Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act
Tax Benefits of Land Conservation in Peril, The Astorian
The Tax Scam that Won’t Die, ProPublica
Bad Actors are Fattening their Wallets, Not Boosting Conservation, Bloomberg Tax
Thank you for supporting COLT and our shared work to ensure the continued protection and conservation of our treasured places and wildlife in Oregon!
