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Since the election, you've likely been blitzed by four-alarm, red-lined fundraising email solicitations. ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ thinks you deserve a more thoughtful response to the election that reflects our shared passion for birds—and for progress. Together we've protected birds for 111 years—through administrations led by both parties—and there's an urgent need to bring some perspective to bear.

Some things didn't change the morning of November 9. An overwhelming majority of Americans still believe climate change threatens their future and the lives of birds, and they want real solutions. Most Republicans are still among that number. Millennials still believe their parents have put short-term gain ahead of an environmental legacy, and they want that fixed. Many business leaders believe in a predictable set of environmental regulations. Communities across the country want more good middle-class jobs. Americans didn't vote against clean air or clean water. Most people still believe in science.

Two things did change that will have a direct bearing on birds and the places they need. It's clear that the incoming administration will have new conservation priorities and that most of the opportunity to make progress on climate change will shift to the states.

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ is uniquely suited to meet both of those challenges and we need your help in this uncertain time. We're a durable, respected, trusted conservation network and we’re local everywhere. With 463 chapters, 23 state offices, and a membership of one million that’s almost evenly divided between D's and R's, we're authentic messengers for birds in every state in the U.S.—and that sets us apart from every other conservation non-profit. When I first came to ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, a South Carolina member told me why ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ was so respected in her community: "You understand our way of life. You're from here." That's true across the four flyways of the United States.

Our bipartisan history and membership base is what makes us effective in states that voted for both major candidates. Believe me, it would be a lot easier to stand on one side or the other of the political road and shout slogans, but that’s not what actually conserves forests or sagebrush or city parks.

You know what we're for: the places birds and people need in order to thrive in a warming and drier world, resilient coastlines and communities where people watch out for birds so they have food, water and safe passage. We're also for the common sense rules that have cleaned our air and water and protected endangered species. Together, we have proven our political clout, whether the goal was protecting tens of millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness or the bird-rich islands off Florida's coast. If successful wildlife or environmental protections are threatened, you can expect us to be highly effective, vocal advocates (ask the wind power industry what it’s like to face off with ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡) and to lean hard on our relationships with officials everywhere.

We intend to stay focused on what we support as much as what we oppose so your role as a champion for birds is more important now than ever. You are the lifeblood of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, part of a community of caring people, from Sacramento to Helena to Lincoln to New York. That’s who we are. And that's not going to change.

We also stand for ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡'s long-held values of respect and compassion. That’s what built the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ movement, and it’s why we are committed to workplaces and nature centers and chapters that support diversity and inclusion.

We need your help to ensure a bright future for birds and the places they need.  

Now, more than ever, you're what hope looks like to a bird.