Conservation
Our garden club is concerned about the environment. In our own club activities, we try to conserve resources by recycling and minimizing our use of disposable products. We learn about environmental issues through the guest speakers who come to our meetings and share perspectives and information on a range of environmental issues. As an organization, we support a variety of non-profit organizations that are engaged in meaningful work to protect the environment. Through our club's affiliation with The Garden Club of America, we take positions on environmental issues and make our views known to our elected representatives. Below are brief summaries of our positions on key issues.
Climate Change
Climate change harms plants, humans, the environment, and the economy. We oppose Congressional action to thwart EPA in its efforts to regular greenhouse gases (GHG), including those emitted by new and existing power plants. We support improved gas mileage for cars and trucks, and other regulations to address GHGs, which harm our communities.
Federal Budget
Conservation and environmental programs should not be targeted for disproportionately large reductions as we address national fiscal issues. Appropriations for EPA, national parks, land and water conservation, ocean and coastal protection, etc., must be maintained at adequate levels.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
We support a fully funded, permanent LWCF of $900 million annually. The current authorization expires in 2015. Funding has been frozen at about $300 million for several years. As the nation's population grows and water scarcity develops, the nation needs to set aside open spaces to recharge water supply, meet critical environmental needs, and provide for recreation in local communities. The LWCF is a key program in these efforts and should be supported.
Coastal Areas
We support making coasts more resilient to extreme weather events. We support steps to bring various federal, state, and local agencies together to plan for coastline areas. We also support the President's National Ocean Policy and US ratification of the Law of the Sea treaty.
Farm Bill
We are pleased that the Farm Bill was finally passed. Despite its problems, it had a strong conservation title, included linkage between crop insurance subsidies and conservation practices. We favor legislation to protect pollinators from neonicotinoids and other pesticides that are threatening bees and other pollinators.
National Parks
The national park system, one of America's greatest treasures, will be 100 years old in 2016. Maintenance backlogs and woefully inadequate funding have taken their toll. We support increased funding for the park system staffing and infrastructure. We also urge legislators to protect parks from encroaching private uses that would be harmful to park environments.
Clean Energy
Energy conservation is the cleanest and most efficient way to increase and secure our energy supplies. We support the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency legislation (S. 1392) and its House companion bill, the Better Buildings Act (H.R. 2126). Clean and efficient energy should not be a partisan issue, and we urge legislators to pass the deficit-neutral bill to promote a more energy-efficient economy.
Tax Incentives for Conservation
Continuing incentives for landowners to donate conservation easements, which expired January 1, is one of the most effective conservation measures. We support H.R. 2807 and S. 526, House and Senate bills respectively, that would reinstate these tax incentives.
Climate Change
Climate change harms plants, humans, the environment, and the economy. We oppose Congressional action to thwart EPA in its efforts to regular greenhouse gases (GHG), including those emitted by new and existing power plants. We support improved gas mileage for cars and trucks, and other regulations to address GHGs, which harm our communities.
Federal Budget
Conservation and environmental programs should not be targeted for disproportionately large reductions as we address national fiscal issues. Appropriations for EPA, national parks, land and water conservation, ocean and coastal protection, etc., must be maintained at adequate levels.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
We support a fully funded, permanent LWCF of $900 million annually. The current authorization expires in 2015. Funding has been frozen at about $300 million for several years. As the nation's population grows and water scarcity develops, the nation needs to set aside open spaces to recharge water supply, meet critical environmental needs, and provide for recreation in local communities. The LWCF is a key program in these efforts and should be supported.
Coastal Areas
We support making coasts more resilient to extreme weather events. We support steps to bring various federal, state, and local agencies together to plan for coastline areas. We also support the President's National Ocean Policy and US ratification of the Law of the Sea treaty.
Farm Bill
We are pleased that the Farm Bill was finally passed. Despite its problems, it had a strong conservation title, included linkage between crop insurance subsidies and conservation practices. We favor legislation to protect pollinators from neonicotinoids and other pesticides that are threatening bees and other pollinators.
National Parks
The national park system, one of America's greatest treasures, will be 100 years old in 2016. Maintenance backlogs and woefully inadequate funding have taken their toll. We support increased funding for the park system staffing and infrastructure. We also urge legislators to protect parks from encroaching private uses that would be harmful to park environments.
Clean Energy
Energy conservation is the cleanest and most efficient way to increase and secure our energy supplies. We support the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency legislation (S. 1392) and its House companion bill, the Better Buildings Act (H.R. 2126). Clean and efficient energy should not be a partisan issue, and we urge legislators to pass the deficit-neutral bill to promote a more energy-efficient economy.
Tax Incentives for Conservation
Continuing incentives for landowners to donate conservation easements, which expired January 1, is one of the most effective conservation measures. We support H.R. 2807 and S. 526, House and Senate bills respectively, that would reinstate these tax incentives.