WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement applauding the National Science Foundation (NSF) for awarding a grant totaling $198,219.00 to the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) to study the impact of climate change, specifically wildfires, on local wildlife.
“Nevada is home to a diverse range of majestic wildlife, and it’s our outdoors that makes our state so special,” said Senator Rosen. “Yet that wildlife is being threatened by climate change, specifically wildfires, which have significantly increased in frequency in recent years. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, yet the cascading effects of climate change on species and ecosystems remain unclear. I applaud NSF for awarding this grant to UNR to study the impact these fires have on the surrounding wildlife.”
BACKGROUND: In December of 2020, Senator Rosen joined a letter led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) to House and Senate leadership requesting wildfire risk mitigation and recovery funds be included in the next COVID-19 relief package to help wildfire impacted communities recover from the catastrophic 2020 wildfire season.
In August of last year, Senator Rosen signed on as a co-sponsor of the Wildfire Defense Act, comprehensive legislation to help communities implement science-based methods for mitigating wildfire damage. This legislation would provide local communities with up to $10 million dollars to help them develop and carry out a Community Wildfire Defense Plan.
