![A male Rufous Hummingbird in profile perched on the tip of a budding branch.](https://media.audubon.org/image/engagement-cards/rufous_hummingbird_boebatyapa_1200x657.jpg?width=345&height=219&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=crop&enable=upscale&blur=100)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Department of the Interior announced its plan 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 availability of $21 million 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 National Audubon Society 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 Audubon. “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. Audubon 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 Audubon’s work protecting riparian habitat for birds and people, visit https://www.audubon.org/conservation/project/western-rivers.
The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon'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, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.
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Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, 212-979-3068