Don’t Let the Shutdown Doom Wildlife and Biodiversity

The global extinction crisis is accelerating–and Congress must not allow a government shutdown to push vulnerable wildlife closer to the brink. As partisan gridlock drags on, the survival of countless species hangs in the balance. From elephants, big cats, and sea turtles abroad to monarch butterflies, honeycreepers, wolves, panthers,  and pollinators here at home, wildlife everywhere is under siege from habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and exploitation.

The shutdown highlights just how fragile federal conservation efforts become when budgets are stalled or slashed. Agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Environmental Protection Agency are lifelines for biodiversity — but without robust and reliable funding, their critical work halts, leaving wildlife unprotected.

From Hawaiian honeycreepers and California condors to manatees and neotropical migratory birds, the survival of species depends on consistent investment. U.S. leadership also supports international partnerships that prevent extinctions worldwide. If Congress fails to act, decades of progress in conservation could be lost — and with it, the ecosystems people depend on.

Call on Congress to:

1: End the shutdown and secure strong, stable funding for conservation and preservation.

2: Support domestic and international programs that safeguard wildlife and protect our biodiversity.

3: Reject any and all harmful policy riders that weaken protections for wildlife and the environment.

Wildlife can’t wait for political games to end. Congress must act now to prioritize conservation, protect biodiversity, and ensure a thriving future for both people and nature. Please add your name to tell Congress not to sacrifice wildlife and their homes as a part of any government funding agreement.