Burr Receives Conservation Hero Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Audubon Society honored U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., during the organization’s national board meeting June 14 in the the United States Botanic Garden.

He, along with more than a dozen public officials from across the nation, were recognized with the Audubon’s Conservation Hero Award for taking action to protect birds and the places they need.

Burr is currently serving his third term in the Senate. Burr said he is a focused on ensuring the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports important habitat for birds, is permanently reauthorized this year.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the National Audubon Society, and I’m proud to work with them on reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is critical to promoting American conservation. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Outer Banks, North Carolina is home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife that add to the richness of our state. It’s our responsibility to protect and preserve their habitats so future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of our country,” said Burr in a statement.

In a release from Burr’s office June 15, the senator said that it’s a little more than 100 days “until one of the most successful conservation programs in our nation’s history expires.”

“For the last 54 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped preserve, maintain and protect our country’s beautiful outdoors for the next generation. Countless parks, critical watersheds and wildlife refuges spanning all 50 states benefit from this great program,” he explained in the release. “Perhaps the best news is that the Land and Water Conservation Fund does all of this at no extra burden to you because it relies solely on royalties from offshore oil and gas leasing revenues. Not a cent comes from your taxes.”

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced June 11 that $1.5 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund would be distributed to North Carolina’s stateside program to go toward building and maintaining local and state recreational areas.