As your constituent and a supporter of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), I am writing to thank you for your support of public-private partnerships, especially in international conservation. As you know, H.R. 6727/S.618, the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act was recently enacted and signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation will leverage U.S. funding with philanthropic contributions to provide sustainable financing for protected areas, often the symbol of rule of law and governance in remote places.

Protected areas across the globe advance U.S. national security objectives by countering corruption and nature crimes all while protecting critical biodiversity and iconic species, and contributing to local economies. Good governance of natural resources provides clean water, supports food security, and promotes economic opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. However, many of these areas are chronically underfunded and vulnerable to poachers and wildlife traffickers that engage in transnational organized crime and spread corruption and lawlessness.

Protected areas and parks have the potential to generate significant local revenue as they develop into world class ecotourism destinations. Consistent and sustainable funding could support management costs, leadership skills training, and development of tourism strategies. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation will incentivize philanthropy to match U.S. government funds to provide long-term, predictable funding for core protected area management activities and ensure that these strongholds of biodiversity continue to provide economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits locally and globally. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation will also prioritize projects that have host-country government and local community support, and create economic opportunities for local communities. Investments will focus on countries with high biodiversity or significant species or ecosystems and a demonstrated commitment to conservation.

The U.S. government has a crucial role to play in advancing innovative public-private conservation investments that serve our national security and foreign policy priorities. I appreciate your continued support of the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation as it commences operations.

Thank you for standing up for wildlife and wild places.