Don, Marty, Bev, & all,

While the idea of a bird seed tax may seem good at first glance, I have
to disagree.

CT DEP ranks near the bottom of 48 states for budgeting money for non-
game wildlife programs.  There was one year during the early '90's where
the total expenditure for such programs was a mere, mere pittance:  a
little over $2,000!

With more public awareness of environmental issues and resultant pressure
on government to do something, that may have changed.  However, with
state and federal budgets, we have no assurance that tax income designated
for a specific purpose would actually go towards that purpose.  Most tax income
gets thrown into a "general fund", used to meet a shortfall in another, unrelated
program or to fund a special interest.

I suggest doing a little research on environmentally-focused, non-profit organizations
to see which use contributions most effectively and honestly, then contributing
to them.

Meredith Sampson
Old Greenwich

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There is currently an unprecedented opportunity to increase funding for DEP in CT, including for the Wildlife Division, within existing funding streams.  Thanks in large part to the many letters/emails/calls from Mansfield and New Haven area birders, a $4.5 M increase for the DEP is in the current State appropriations budget.  This will have tremendous benefits for birds in CT if it survives the rest of the budget process and the governor's pen, but additional support will be needed in the coming weeks to make sure that happens.

Additional current opportunities include the Face of Connecticut, which would increase funding for open space and specific opportunities for funding for the Stewart B. McKinney NWR and the Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in CT (and a large addition to Barn Island WMA).  Stay tuned for important action alerts in the coming weeks if open space protection and wildlife funding are important to you.  There are some really exciting conservation opportunities out there right now.

Patrick  Comins, Meriden