Audubon’s Julie Hill-Gabriel Testifies Before U.S. House on Climate Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration

On February 8, 2022, Julie Hill-Gabriel, vice president for water conservation testified in front of the U.S. House Committee on Transporation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. The committee was seeking input from a panel of stakeholders on the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. WRDA is an important tool for directing investment in the restoration of rivers and wetlands, building climate resilience, and ensuring fair and equitable distribution of Army Corps resources across the United States.

Julie's testimony addressed restoration of the Everglades, the Mississippi River Delta and coastal Louisiana, Asian carp in the Great Lakes, the Salton Sea, and the historic drought in the Western U.S., among other issues. She told the committee: 

"Birds are telling us that urgent action is needed to increase climate resilience. Extreme weather events, lack of abundant and clean water, degraded coastal resources, and declining bird habitat are all threatening birds and communities across the country. Audubon’s Survival by Degrees report shows that over 300 species of birds are at risk of extinction due to climate change. But, climate change is not just an ecological threat; last year, the country experienced 20 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each. Tragically, these events resulted in the deaths of 688 Americans and continue to economically and ecologically impact the affected communities. We must act now – and quickly – to enact climate solutions for birds and people."

You can read her full testimony here. 

You can watch the entire hearing, including Julie's testimony below.