Grassroots Conservation of Biological Diversity in the United States Page: 22
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annual pledge drive. An important portion of
their funding for operational programs and
some special projects comes from the Alaska
Conservation Foundation.' Though SEACC re
ceives some money from national foundations,
the time consuming application process diverts
staff efforts from other projects (35). SEACC oc
casionally receives support from local recrea
tional, fishing, and native interests as well as
local businesses.
Operating in the southeast region of Alaska
adds to SEACC's costs. Transportation in the
region frequently is difficult, very expensive,
and subject to unpredictable weather. Tele
phone, rent, and supplies all are more expen
sive than in other regions of the country. Peri
odic visits to Washington, DC, to participate in
congressional hearings or agency reviews also
are a significant expense.
SEACC's location also makes communica
tions a major problem, both inside and outside
the region. Within Alaska, geography and cli
mate complicate communications between
member individuals and organizations. Groups
in remote, rugged areas frequently are isolated
by adverse weather and lack of adequate tele
phone facilities. Further, the group's lack of ex
posure in the "lower 48, " makes it difficult for
them to get a hearing nationally.
Despite the hardships of working in a remote
area, SEACC staff derives considerable satis
faction from the "real sense of community" in
the region. As an advocacy group whose inter
ests are centered on a specific region, SEACC
provides an important link among diverse
groups in southeastern Alaska which allows
them to have a greater voice in development of
legislation and future management plans for the
Tongass National Forest.
'Alaska Conservation Foundation was established to provide
funding to four environmental groups in Alaska. While funds
provided are only a portion of their total funding, they are largely
for general operations, a budget item that is often difficult to fund
(35). In this respect they are very important to SEACC.Florida Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society was formed
at the beginning of this century to conserve
mammals and birds, particularly species under
pressure from hunters, Today as one of the larg
est grassroots conservation organizations in the
United States, the society's activities have ex
panded to include preserving natural areas, edu
cating the public, and lobbying for legislation
to protect plant and animal life.
In 1900, shortly before the founding of the Na
tional Audubon Society, the Florida Audubon
Society (FAS) was organized to end destruction
of the State's wading bird populations by the
millinery trade. FAS was and remains adminis
tratively independent of the National Audubon
Society and their focus has grown to include
ecosystems preservation. The 46 chapters of the
society within Florida range in size from 100
to 3,000 and have a total membership of 35,000.
Most local chapters are associated with both
FAS and the National Audubon Society, so
when Florida residents join the National Au
dubon Society they become members in FAS
and part of their dues goes to it. Some people
join just FAS, and FAS shares those dues with
local chapters.
Local chapters of FAS are essentially inde
pendent groups that vary not only in size but
in involvement with environmental issues. They
receive assistance from the State group in de
veloping programs and pursuing local environ
mental issues. In turn, the State organization
often seeks local support for its issues. Local
chapters participate in field trips and national
activities such as the annual Christmas Bird
Count. A chapter also may elect to manage one
of the 38 wildlife sanctuaries that have been do
nated to FAS. While the society retains legal
ownership, the local chapter assumes care
taking responsibilities for the sanctuary.
Funding for FAS comes from a number of
sources. Besides membership dues, which are
shared with local chapters, the society has sev
eral corporate sponsors. When necessary, spe
cial appeals are made to the membership, Some
programs of the society are supported by grants
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United States. Congress. Office of Technology Assessment. Grassroots Conservation of Biological Diversity in the United States, report, February 1986; [Washington D.C.]. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc39608/m1/26/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.