The Bird Banding Lab and Breeding Bird Survey are two essential science programs run by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that help us understand birds. These programs reveal how our environment is changing, which species are declining, and where conservation action is most needed. They've contributed to the understanding and protection of countless species, like Prothonotary Warblers, Piping Plovers, and Peregrine Falcons.
But funding for these programs, as well as much of USGS's biological research, is at risk of being cut. Urge Congress to keep these programs fully funded and invest in the science that protects birds and people.
Dear Representative [Names will automatically be added]:
As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Ecosystems Mission Area and its programs, like the Bird Banding Lab (BBL) and Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which provide foundational science and data collection that guide our nation's bird conservation efforts.
Despite important progress made in conservation, the recent 2025 State of the Birds report shows that greater investments are needed to reach sustainable populations for all species of birds. Effective and cost-efficient management of migratory birds depends on reliable science and data. The USGS's programs help ensure that federal dollars are spent wisely and provide predictability for the public and the business community.
The BBS and BBL serve as essential sources of information for migratory bird conservation and the American public. In particular, bird banding is used to inform waterfowl population size and management guidelines, while the BBS gives us the ability to track bird population trends across the continent. Continued federal investments in these programs will support a broad range of applications: supporting state fish and wildlife agencies, improving aviation safety for the Air Force, tracking the movements of diseases like avian influenza, and more.
These programs offer outsized benefits to our nation and its natural heritage, and should not be abandoned. I urge you to continue the longstanding support from Congress for USGS, its Ecosystems Mission Area, and programs like the Bird Banding Lab and Breeding Bird Survey by fully funding them this fiscal year and beyond.
[Your comment here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
