Letter of Inquiry, Essay Example

We are interested in applying for funding for our organization called Conserve Endangered Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Upon our organization’s consideration we will be ready to submit a detailed and elaborate proposal. This is meant to provide your organization with specific information about our organization activities and request for funding. We are an incorporated, non-profit making organization based in New Jersey. The main reason as to why Conserve Endangered Wildlife Foundation was formed is to carry out the much needed research on wildlife conservation techniques and issues. Also, our organization is founded on the need to educate people to practice conservation of wildlife living in New Jersey. Moreover, to develop wildlife management plans that encourage wildlife conservation in New Jersey is also part of our concerns.

Among the activities that the organization is involved in include: creating habitats for endangered wildlife and fighting for wildlife rights. Examples of endangered species include; ospreys, peregrines which are rare bird species. We also restore habitat for bog turtles, song birds and butterflies. We protect habitats for piping plovers and least terns. In Conserve Endangered Wildlife Foundation, It is all about habitat and ways in which we as an organization can protect endangered species. Humans, being pretty flexible live in apartments, condos and houses. We live at sea level or up in the clouds in skyscrapers. We exist in the same habitat with the rest of the population. Rare wildlife species do not adapt well in any environment. For example, Bald eagles can not live in cities. Bats do not make lifelong partners and young animals of all species must fend for themselves when seeking places to nest or breed. Wildlife species require particular habitats to meet their needs and these habitats need to be conserved (Jason & John, 51).

Natural habitat is a critical component of good living. It is habitat that allow for productivity. If we do not have habitat wildlife species will be extinct. If forests, endangered wildlife species, fields, estuaries and natural habitat are not preserved, we will lack a rich biodiversity in the near future. Conserve Endangered Wildlife Foundation is, therefore, passionately in favor of preserving habitat. Without preserved land, we can’t guarantee the future of the rich array of species that live in every part of our state. Unfortunately, the state Green Acres Program that funds protection of natural areas and wildlife habitat is out of funds, just when there are great opportunities to preserve land at reduced values in the current real estate market. This November we have a chance to protect our legacy through a statewide ballot question asking us to approve $4  million in bonding to continue funding for the state’s land preservation efforts. The cost will be only $10 annually per household (Donna , 933).

Scientists have continued to study endangered species of birds to determine the overall health of the population in New Jersey. Woodland raptor surveys and sighting reports that have been carried out have provided the Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) among other programs with data to help judge population trends. A good insight into these findings has identified that the Red shouldered hawks may suffer if essential habitat continue being destroyed by people who do not support sustainable development. Current research and data analysis conducted   by our organization will more accurately determine the population’s status and trends in New Jersey. We have hope that our intense conservation measures, including wetland protection and wise forest management, will help protect this interesting raptor.

Also in a state as developed as New Jersey, roads are a necessary part of our lives. While allowing people to get from place to place, roads have the opposite effect on New Jersey’s wildlife. For animals, roads are obstacles. They disrupt natural migration corridors and fragment habitat. Animals attempting to cross to find food, migrate or return to their breeding grounds are not always successful, as we can see by the evidence on our roadsides. Recent efforts to reduce the impact of roads on wildlife have not been successful. However, a new group has been established to work proactively and identify potential conflicts between wildlife and roads, as well as stretches of road where amphibians and reptiles could benefit from crossing structures that allow safe passage. By working more closely with the agencies responsible for planning and engineering roads, our organization hopes to emphasize the needs of wildlife in the early planning stages of road projects.

As you know, the Foundation has taken important strides to strengthen our performance measures and accountability. For example, the Foundation is working with scientists and other experts to develop species-specific metrics for each of our keystone initiatives that we will use to measure our progress in achieving our conservation outcomes. Our grant review and contracting processes have been improved to ensure we maximize efficiency while maintaining strict financial and evaluation based requirements. We are planning to launch a website and equip it with interactive tools such as webinars and a grants library to enhance the transparency of our grant making. We are also considering an instituted a new paperless application and grant administration system which we will easily be able to incorporate once we have access to funds. Recently, we are continuing with our efforts to improve communication with our stakeholders and streamlining of our grant making process. Our Foundations grant making involves a thorough internal and external review process. Peer reviews involve federal and state agencies, affected industry, non profit organizations, and academics. Grants are also reviewed by the Foundation’s issue experts, as well as evaluation staff, before being recommended to the Board of Directors for approval. In addition, according to our Congressional Charter, the Foundation provides a 30 day notification to the Members of Congress for the congressional district and state in which a grant will be funded, prior to making a funding decision (Donna, 933).

Mr. Chairman, we greatly appreciate your continued support for such initiatives and hope the Subcommittee will approve funding for our dedicated Foundation for Financial year 2010. Funding is strictly for conservation of endangered wildlife species mostly birds.

Together with our volunteer support and partners are committed to financing the project to a tune of $ 1 million which represents 25 percent 25 percent of total project costs. It is our sincere request that you will grant us support in our conservation efforts and we together the State of New Jersey will always conserve wildlife and the environment we live in.

Works Cited

Craftsman. Developer’s guide to endangered species regulation. 1^st ed. Washington, DC: Home Builder Press, 1996.

Donna Batten. Gale environmental sourcebook: a guide to organizations, agencies, and publications. 2^nd ed. London: Gale Research, 1994.

Jason F. Shogren, John Tschirhart. ? Protecting endangered species in the United States. 1st ed. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2001.