CONTACT: Mike Saccone, Communications Advisor, NWF Action Fund, SacconeM@nwf.org, 202-797-6634

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 20, 2019) — The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund today endorsed Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards  for his track record on coastal restoration and safeguarding critical wildlife habitat for future generations. The primary election is set for October 12, 2019.

“Under Governor Edwards’ leadership, Louisiana has made significant strides toward restoring one of America’s great landscapes for fish and wildlife — the Mississippi River Delta in coastal Louisiana,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund. “Governor Edwards has delivered not just with innovative planning and design through efforts like the unanimously passed 2017 Coastal Master Plan, but also with real action on the ground. Under his administration, Louisiana has completed 27 different critical restoration projects along the coast, more than any other time in our history.

“Governor Edwards has successfully prioritized the coast, working with bold, bipartisan action, and recognizing that coastal Louisiana doesn’t have any time to lose. For ensuring the future generations of Americans can enjoy the same bayous and beaches that have made Louisiana a Sportsman’s Paradise, we are proud to endorse Governor Edwards for re-election.”

The Mississippi River Delta is home to a number of federally endangered or threatened animals, provides world-class fishing opportunities and wintering habitat for 10 million of our nation’s migratory waterfowl annually and is an economic powerhouse that feeds and fuels the nation. But sadly this landscape is disappearing at the alarming rate of a football field every 100 minutes.

Since Edwards took office, restoration projects in Louisiana have provided $5.25 billion in economic value to the region, making Louisiana an international example in coastal restoration, leading the way in how to live with water in an area dealing firsthand with the challenges of sea level rise and climate change. With the leadership of Edwards, Louisiana has completed important projects like the $216 million beach restoration near Port Fourchon and the $116 reconstruction of Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish.

Visit our website at NWFActionFund.org.

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The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund (501(c)4) works to raise the visibility of key conservation issues with voters and elected officials. Through grassroots action and focused legislative campaigns, the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund advocates for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life and political stripes to ensure they have a voice in the democratic process.

To ensure a big tent for our shared conservation values, we remain fiercely bi-partisan and put conservation of our air, water, land and wildlife above political party.  We believe in bi-partisan solutions, and welcome all who are stewards of the earth to join us. We advocate for natural resource protection, wildlife conservation and outdoor education to meet our top goals of protecting wildlife and wild places and connecting people with nature.

The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund is the sister organization to the National Wildlife Federation, (501(c)3) America’s largest wildlife conservation organization. The National Wildlife Federation has been on the front lines for wildlife since 1936, fighting for the conservation values that are woven into the fabric of our nation’s heritage.