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Advocacy at Audubon

Welcome to the Advocacy Page of The Audubon Society of Rhode Island. We are excited to share our legislative and local priorities for 2024 with you.

Through grassroots and direct advocacy, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island promotes public policies and initiatives that protect birds, other wildlife, and natural resources. Audubon organizes people into campaigns and coalitions to build a strong and respected environmental movement in Rhode Island and to increase the environmental literacy of elected officials and policymakers.

The challenges affecting today’s environment are on the rise as we face the climate crisis and new threats to our valuable natural resources. To remain a strong independent voice for nature, the support of Audubon volunteers, members, donors, and fellow community members is crucial.

Current Advocacy Priorities

We developed these priorities by engaging local advocates, other organizations, and our expert scientists, such as Audubon director of Avian Research Dr. Charles Clarkson and Senior Director of Conservation Dr. Scott Ruhren.

We encourage you to Take Action on each and every one of these pieces of legislation and local priorities.

If you are an elected official or member of the press and would like to learn more, please contact Director of Advocacy Phoenix Wheeler (they/them) at pwheeler@asri.org.

Legislative Priorities

Green Bond

Local farmers, advocates, and highly respected environmental organizations are asking the legislature for $16 million dollars in a vital update to the 2024 Green Bond that restores updates to land and farm conservation. We believe that all Rhode Islanders deserve a safe and healthy place to live with access to clean air, clean water, green space, and healthy food.

Current legislation was introduced by environmental champions Representative Megan Cotter and Senator DiPalma to restore $16 million to the Green Bond. Included in these funds are:

  • $5 Million for Farmland Preservation.
  • $5 Million for the State Open Space Program to bring it back to historic funding levels. This funding would be used to acquire and conserve lands of statewide interest and significance.
  • $3 Million for the Local Open Space Grant Program which provides matching grants to municipalities, land trusts, and non-profit conservation land organizations to preserve valuable open spaces across the state.
  • $3 Million for forest habitat and restoration on state lands.

 TAKE ACTION 
Contact your legislators: LEARN MORE

 

Supporting Pollinators

On January 1st, 2024, a law went into effect that bans certain chemicals used in yards and landscaping that have been proven to have increasingly harmful effects on pollinators. We’ll be working with local advocates to support the Department of Environmental Management’s efforts to enforce this important change. We’ll also be advocating to keep this new and important law in place. We are expecting a bill to repeal will be introduced and we’ll need you to take action to stop it.

 TAKE ACTION 
Action items coming soon.

 

Rodenticides

Audubon Society of Rhode Island has introduced new legislation to support data collection on a number of rodenticides. Rodenticides are chemicals used by cities and towns in an attempt to curb rodent populations. These chemicals can have a harmful impact on raptor populations and the broader ecosystem. We’re hopeful this legislation will help us make the case for restrictions on the use of harmful chemicals in the future.

BILL TEXT
House Bill (Sponsored by Representative Rebecca Kislak):  H-7783 
Senate Bill (Sponsored by Senator Melissa Murray):  S-2745

 TAKE ACTION 
Attend the March 20th Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee Hearing
LEARN MORE

Local Priorities

Stormwater Utility
Stormwater Utilities is an important way to help mitigate the impacts of stormwater on local communities. Audubon Society of Rhode Island is working with municipalities across Rhode Island to support this important tool.

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Visit our Take Action page to learn about how YOU can elevate a local priority in your community.

Coalition Priorities

Latest Audubon Advocacy News

Check back here often for new developments! View All Stories >

We are asking the General Assembly to add $16 Million to the Green Bond to ensure that we can continue to protect farmland, open spaces, and forests in Rhode Island! Please show your support by submitting written testimony and coming to the State House next Wednesday, March 6th at 4 pm!
RSVP for the hearing: https://bit.ly/GreenBondRI2024
Guidance for writing and submitting Testimony: https://bit.ly/3TjOode

Each year in the United States, as many as 1 billion birds die from flying into windows. Help us understand which birds are dying & and where: monitor & report window strike deaths to the Audubon Society of RI this spring.

In 2023, RI’s General Assembly passed the state’s first-ever solar siting legislation. As we head into the 2024 legislative session, see what Audubon has been up to and how you can get involved with forest protection this year.

Volunteers are the Backbone of Audubon! Individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences share their time and talent to support Audubon. We depend on volunteers, from interns and educators to gardeners, trail monitors, office help, and more.