http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5654/t/3866/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1832

request grizzly bear recovery be included in Alberta's 2010/2011 Provincial Budget

Budget Needed for Bears in 2010.

InstructionsNOTE: This page is designed for non- Alberta residents to take action. If you are an Alberta resident please click here to be redirected.Read background informationRead sample letter in white text box belowWrite your letter or add your comments to the sample letter by simply typing in the white text box.IMPORTANT: please write your own subject by typing in the subject text box
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** Remember, letters that have been personally written are a lot more effective in getting the attention of politicians. We encourage you to use the information to write your own letter or add your own comments to the sample letter to give it that personal touch. They do not need to be long, one or two paragraphs will suffice. Our goal is 100 personalized letters for each action alert. Help make it happen!

Background information

 The letter B, of the B.E.A.R.S. Essentials, stands for 'Budget dedicated to recovery'.  Alberta’s Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan includes a detailed budget of $2.8 million to be spent over three years on critical aspects of recovery. Unfortunately the government has so far failed to indicate any funding dedicated for grizzly bear recovery. Without a committed budget, there is no guarantee the grizzly bear recovery program will receive the funding required to be successful.

The amount required per year to fund grizzly bear recovery equates to 0.0025% of the province’s total planned spending in 2009 of $36.4 billion. To put this in perspective, if a family had a yearly income of $60 000 that would mean budgeting $1.50 to aid the recovery of this iconic species.

The government has indicated that roughly $900 000 will be spent on grizzly bear management in 2009 yet there is no indication how much, if any, of this money will be spent specifically on the recovery actions outlined in the Recovery Plan. For recovery to be successful, the budget outlined in the Recovery Plan must be provided in addition to funding already allocated for ongoing grizzly bear management.

Grizzly bears and their plight are a warning light for the state of Alberta’s natural environment and a symbol of disappearing wilderness. Therefore, a dollar invested to save grizzly bears and their habitat is a dollar invested to conserve a host of other plants, animals and economic resources that fall under that umbrella of protection

In contrast to the limited spending on grizzly bear recovery, Alberta has dedicated $71 million for tourism and marketing initiatives and another $10 million towards marketing the new provincial slogan, “Alberta. Freedom to create. Spirit to achieve” in an attempt to green wash their image in the global market place.

The lack of funding where it really counts will not be lost on the world, especially as we approach 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity. But if it is only an image the province is concerned about then consider this; what other globally recognized Alberta icon represents "spirit" and "freedom" better than the grizzly bear?

Please take a moment to send a letter to these key Alberta decision makers:

Premier Ed Stelmach Honourable Lloyd Snelgrove, President of the Treasury BoardHonourable Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource DevelopmentHonourable Cindy Ady, Minister of Tourism Parks and Recreation

Request that Alberta includes grizzly bear recovery as a line item in Alberta’s 2010/2011 provincial budget.

Letters sent from the Action Grizzly Bear website will automatically be sent to all four decision makers. Sending a letter is fast, easy and critically important. Please speak up for B.E.A.R.S. in Alberta now!

 

Alberta’s grizzly bear population is one of the most threatened in North America. Scientist estimate fewer than 500 remain. The government must act now to ensure the long-term survival of this species. With your help we are calling on the provincial government to dedicate a funding for recovery in the 2010/2011 provincial budget.

 http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5654/t/3866/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1832