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GUEST: Kimberley Delfino, California Program Director with Defenders of Wildlife

According to a report released today, California’s San Luis National Wildlife Refuge is under threat as its wetlands and funds run dry. Compiled by the Defenders of Wildlife, “Refuges at Risk,” points to San Luis’ lack of sufficient funds to compete with bigger commercial interests over California’s limited water supply. As the grasslands and wetlands continue to dry up, dependent wildlife as well as migratory birds are adversely affected. An overwhelming ninety-five percent of the state’s wetlands have been modified or destroyed. In addition to San Luis, nine other refuges are noted in the report as being at risk across the United States. The release of this year’s report coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. The legislation established federal standards for refuges nationwide. “Refuges at Risk,” criticizes the Bush Administration’s implementation of the act and notes the decrease in federal funding over the past ten years.

For more information, visit www.defenders.org/index.php