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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Department of the Interior to establish the Natural Resource Investment Center as a vehicle for public-private collaborations to address water sustainability issues with market-based solutions while remaining committed to an overall mission of supporting water, species and habitat conservation. Yesterday, the Administration highlighted the in cost-share funding for water conservation and efficiency projects through the Bureau of Reclamation. In response to these important steps necessary to protect natural resources for people and wildlife, the ���Ĵ�ý issued the following statement:

“Few things are more important for birds and people than water sustainability, especially in a time when much of the country faces historic drought,” said Karyn Stockdale, director of western water for ���Ĵ�ý. “By creating the Natural Resource Investment Center and funding important conservation projects through WaterSMART grant opportunities, the Obama Administration is taking encouraging steps toward ensuring responsible stewardship of our natural resources. ���Ĵ�ý looks forward to working with Interior and other stakeholders to make sure subsequent steps include sufficient measures to protect birds and their habitat.”

To learn more about ���Ĵ�ý’s work protecting riparian habitat for birds and people, visit /conservation/project/western-rivers.

The ���Ĵ�ý saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. ���Ĵ�ý's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, ���Ĵ�ý's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. ���Ĵ�ý is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at  and .

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Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, 212-979-3068