The President’s FY2027 budget proposal requests severe cuts to international conservation programs at the State Department. These programs have proven to be important, not just for animals, but to the economic and national security of the United States. As your constituent, I am writing to ask you to sign important letters supporting international conservation, marine protected areas and countering wildlife trafficking in the Senate’s FY2027 appropriations legislation.

The ties between international conservation and security have become increasingly clear in recent years. Illegal exploitation of natural resources—such as trafficking in wildlife, timber, fish, and minerals—has been linked to large-scale transnational criminal activities, fostering corruption, undermining the rule of law, and robbing developing countries of natural wealth and economic opportunities. These illegal activities are known to fuel operations of drug cartels, terrorist organizations, and malign actors around the world. The bottom line is that they threaten U.S. national and economic security.

International conservation programs such as the Biodiversity Program, counter wildlife trafficking, the U.S. Foundation for Natural Security & Counterterrorism, Land Use, Management, and Protection, and the U.S. contribution to the Global Environment Facility (the GEF) are all important parts of the U.S. government’s response, providing on-the-ground resources in many of the most remote and fragile ecosystems.

Congress has consistently recognized the value of these programs for combating wildlife trafficking, and protecting ecological integrity as a form of “natural security” as it makes budget decisions. Good natural resource management of wildlife, timber, fish and critical minerals promote good governance and open up opportunities for U.S. businesses, rather than allowing for the exploitation of these resources by malign government actors. These programs also conserve vulnerable species in the wild, protect the landscapes and seascapes that represent the last remaining wild places on the earth, and provide security and livelihoods to local and Indigenous Peoples who directly depend on natural resources for their survival and economic growth. If the U.S. government stops funding international conservation work, malign actors step in to fill the void.

To reverse the proposed funding cuts to conservation programs, two letters of support are circulating in the Senate to State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriators. I ask that you sign onto the following Member letters:

- Sen. Van Hollen is leading a letter to SFOPs appropriators supporting international conservation programs, counter wildlife trafficking efforts, the U.S. Foundation for Natural Security & Counterterrorism, Land Use, Management, and Protection, and for the Global Environment Facility;
- Sen. Merkley is leading a letter in support of bilateral and multilateral international climate programs.

I urge you to support funding for international conservation, marine protected areas, land use management, and countering wildlife trafficking in FY27 Appropriations bills.

I understand that the deadlines to sign onto these letters are approaching quickly and urge you to reach out to the senators leading the letters to join the effort as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration.