Write a Love Letter to Congress about the Endangered Species Act

When people speak about impacting legislators, one thing is consistently mentioned: personal stories. Our members of Congress will often read constituent letters on the floor. In a meeting with a legislator, I was told that letters with a personal story go to the top of the stack and will sometimes have a staff member approaching the legislator on this topic. In a thread on feedback from a GOP Senator, personal stories were also at the top of the list.

So let's give it to them!!

The major call to action for this event is to write a personal letter to your members of Congress, explaining why you love the Endangered Species Act and do not want to see it weakened or repealed. 

Unfortunately, this action is limited to US residents only though there will be lots of opportunities next week for non-US residents to speak out on Twitter and on Facebook in favor of the Endangered Species Act.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Think about an instance where you have encountered wildlife and appreciated the Endangered Species Act. This can be in person, seeing a photograph, reading an article or story.  How did this make you feel? Did you share the experience with any friends or family? Did this spark any changes in your life?

2) Write your letter somewhere it can be copied and pasted because you are going to send it to all three of your members of Congress (your two Senators and your House representative).

3) In your letter, make sure to identify yourself as a constituent and include your contact information so that they can confirm that you are, indeed, a constituent.

4) If possible, mail these as paper letters to a district office for your representatives.  Addresses for Senators HERE and for House HERE. Letters sent to district offices have to be removed from envelopes and collated into topic piles whereas letters sent to DC have a long backup before reaching your member of Congress.

5) If you cannot mail this, sending it to your member of Congress through their contact form is a great alternative. (Contact forms for Senators HERE and for House HERE) It is just important that they hear your voice!

Here is an example of an Endangered Species Act love letter to Congress.

Please aim to mail your love letter no later than February 17. Please consider posting a photograph of your letter in our event or leaving a comment letting us know that you have sent your letter.  Share your love for the Endangered Species Act!