Wildlife is Counting on You to be Counted

David Mizejewski | Last Updated: April 18, 2020

Support for programs to protect wildlife like common mergansers from pesticides, toxic metals and acid rain will be influenced by data from this year’s census.

2020 is a crucial year for wildlife. Not only because it is a presidential election year, but also because all across the country, Americans are being asked to participate in the U.S. Census. This official snapshot of the U.S. population determines funding for environmental projects with direct local impact, decides the size of each state’s delegation to the House of Representatives, and serves many other critical purposes.

TAKE THE CENSUS NOW

By overlaying Census results with data on income, housing, weather patterns, environmental hazards, or commuting patterns, researchers can provide critical insights for disaster planning, flood mitigation, and public transportation. Crucial programs for state wildlife recovery and climate resilience are also funded based on data from the Census. Environmental programs that have historically relied on Census data include:

State Wildlife Grants that provide Federal grant funds to help State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners conserve sensitive or imperiled species and their habitats

Wildlife Restoration projects through State fish and wildlife agencies to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps low-income individuals access to cleaner sources of energy and fight climate change.

Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to fund clean water projects, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage in rural areas.

Hazardous Waste Management State Program Support to assist States in the development and implementation of a hazardous waste management program to control the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Emergency Watershed Program Protection that offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by natural disasters that impair a watershed.

Complete your Census response today

With the option to submit a response to the Census form by mail, online, or phone, it’s easier than ever to participate and be counted for your community and for wildlife! You can help by sharing this information on social media and encouraging friends and family to respond to the Census. Go to https://2020census.gov/ to learn more and be counted!