Strange Bedfellows?

CARE Members on the ground in Southeast Lousiana

Strange bedfellows — this idiom often is used when unlikely companions join forces around a shared interest and it might be one overheard when describing the 21-member Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement, or “CARE”, currently chaired by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

A few years ago, I attended a meeting on Capitol Hill for members of CARE to educate a key member of the Appropriations Committee about the National Wildlife Refuge System and it’s needs. As we went into his personal office, we passed a large wolf in the back of his office.  The member explained that the Safari Club International had given it to him. We introduced ourselves and he immediately looked at the representatives from the Safari Club and Defenders of Wildlife and asked, “How’s that work?!”  While he was joking when he asked the question, he was genuinely curious.  And the answer from the Safari Club representative said it all, “Sir, we don’t agree on much, but on this issue, we see eye to eye.”

Strange bedfellows indeed…

Our coalition, formed in 1995, is as broad and diverse a constituency as one can imagine in Washington, D.C.  From hunters and anglers to bird and wildlife watchers to scientists and biologists, we share a common goal – to increase funding for the operation and maintenance of the Refuge System.  We give one voice to the many stories of the lands, waters, wildlife, and recreation and education opportunities that refuges protect. One vehicle for sharing these stories is our annual CARE report. Issued in early May, this year’s report, Restoring America’s Wildlife Refuges 2011: Assets for All American, looks at refuge funding and the socio-economic benefits refuges provide to communities.

But what the report really delivers is a glimpse of effective partnerships in action. The groups within the CARE coalition reflect what is best about partnerships… finding common ground around a shared goal and looking past organizational differences.  Collectively we represent more than 14 million Americans.   Working in unison, we collaborate by sharing organizational resources and pooling talent from our members to build wide-spread support for the Refuge System.

My hope with the vision process is that the CARE model can be replicated on individual refuges nationwide and indeed it already is with Friends groups who are also comprised of extremely diverse individuals. Take a look at the organizations listed below and if you know of a local chapter or office of one of these groups, I encourage you to reach out to them if you haven’t already.

Desiree Sorenson Groves, Vice President, Government Affairs, National Wildlife Refuge Association and CARE liaison

To learn more visit: http://www.fundrefuges.org/care/carehome.html

Members of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) are the American Birding Association -American Fisheries Society – American Sportfishing Association -Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation -Defenders of Wildlife -Ducks Unlimited – Izaak Walton League of America-Marine Conservation Institute – National Audubon Society – National Rifle Association of America -National Wildlife Federation – National Wildlife Refuge Association -Safari Club International – The Corps Network -The Wilderness Society – The Wildlife Society -Trout Unlimited – U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance – Wildlife Forever – Wildlife Management Institute