FWS Shifts Focus to Climate Change for FY 2011

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is gearing up for fiscal 2011 with a priority shift: namely, more attention and funds dedicated to climate change research and management.

"The budget does reflect a switch in our priorities," said Chris Nolin, head of the service's budget division. "Our primary focus is reorienting the agency so we can address climate change. We need to start looking at climate change in everything we do. That was really the focus of this budget."

"The strategic investments this budget makes will allow us to continue to work with our partners to build the capacity we need to tackle climate change and other future challenges," added FWS Director Sam Hamilton.

The agency's $1.65 billion discretionary budget plan for the coming fiscal year includes increases of $18.8 million for Climate Change Adaptation, $4 million for the review of planned renewable energy development to ensure they do not place threatened species in harm's way, as well as $15.8 million for ecosystem restoration and $20 million for federal land acquisition.

Published: February 16, 2010