PLEASE CONTACT NEW JERSEY U.S. SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ.

WILDLIFE AND FEDERAL LANDS ON THE ROPES! HR 3590, THE SO-CALLED "SPORTSMEN'S HERITAGE AND RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2013"

Massive NRA power grab has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives, is supported by Democrat leaders pandering to NRA in the U.S. Senate, and is on Senate "Consent List"

ACTION: PLEASE CONTACT NEW JERSEY U.S. SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 and after...

Senator Menendez has a superb record in voting for wildlife protection. The powerful Senator is a steadfast opponent of the "Sportsmen's Heritage" power grab.

1. Please thank Senator Menendez for his wildlife protection stance, and

2. Ask him to actively dissuade Democrat colleagues from supporting HR 3590.

Phone: 973.645.3030

Fax: 973.645.0502

Webmail: Click on "Contact My Office" on the top right

THE ISSUE

READY FOR U.S. SENATE VOTE

HR 3590, an omnibus bill promoted by gun, archery, and equipment manufactures, vastly increases hunter/trapper access to public land and ties the government's hands in restricting poisonous lead shot.

Previous bills have met with defeat in the U.S. Senate. But not this year: Democrat leaders are bowing to NRA pressure and supporting the legislation. The shooting industry and its government partners in federal and state wildlife bureaus have identified hunter access to public and private land as the key to retaining paying clients.

The bill has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Ominously, it is listed on the "Consent List" in the U.S. Senate.

WHAT HR 3590 WILL DO

1. Open millions of acres of protected federals lands to hunting and trapping. Federal  Wilderness Areas will fall to sport hunting and trapping. National Parks will be open to "volunteer" hunters, ostensibly for "management" purposes. The gun lobby has already gained "access" to hundreds of millions of acres of federal lands, including the National Wildlife Refuge System, where hunting is now a "primary use."

2. Prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from halting the use of lead shot. Spent lead ammunition poisons millions of animals annually, impacting bald eagles, golden eagles, cranes, ducks swans, loons, and geese, among others. Many die a painful death from lead poisoning, while others suffer for years from its debilitating effects. According to the Center for Biological Diversity: "In the United States, an estimated 3,000 tons of lead are shot into the environment by hunting every year, another 80,000 tons are released at shooting ranges, and 4,000 tons are lost in ponds and streams as fishing lures and sinkers -- while as many as 20 million birds and other animals die each year from subsequent lead poisoning."

3. Allow trophy hunters to import polar bears killed in Canada prior to listing of the species as threatened with extinction. This cynical provision allows hunters to circumvent existing protections. Importation has long been pursued by Safari Club International. the small but powerful trophy hunter group partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

With this legislation, hunters, a shrinking minority, will obtain the "whole enchilada" -- preferred "access" to virtually all remotely huntable federal lands; immunity from federal regulation of toxic substances in our environment, importation of endangered trophies. All with the help of the U.S. Congress.

ACTION: PLEASE CALL NEW JERSEY U.S. SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18.    Senator Menendez has a superb record in voting for wildlife protection. The powerful Senator is a steadfast opponent of the "Sportsmen's Heritage" power grab.

1. Please thank Senator Menendez for his wildlife protection stance, and

2. Ask him to actively dissuade Democrat colleagues from supporting HR 3590.

Phone: 973.645.3030

Fax: 973.645.0502
Webmail: Click on "Contact My Office" on the top right

Susan Russell, Co-Director

Help us DEFEAT New Beaver Bill

THE GOOD NEWS: Your calls and emails stopped Senate President Sweeney's lame-duck effort to force through the Beaver Trapping Bill in the Senate in the last legislative session! If the bill had passed the Senate, Governor Christie would have signed it, and the legislation would now be law.

THE BAD NEWS: Trappers and their agency, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, are trying again in the new session. Last week, Assemblywoman Celeste Riley (D-3) and Assemblyman Bob Andrzejzak (D-1)  introduced A2410 to remove the statutory limit on beaver trapping permits.

The few trappers in the state say they make little, if any, money from the activity. It is for "recreation," they say. Trapping, whether the initial agony inflicted by the trap itself, compounded by the pain and injury caused by the animal's struggle, or the methods of kill -- stomping on the trap victim, or crushing the skull with a garden trowel  (bullets damage the fur) -- has virtually no ecological, let alone  ethical, justification.

It is difficult for compassionate human beings to understand how anyone could inflict the agony depicted above, and relentlessly pursue the "opportunity" to do so.

Only one thing can prevent even more beaver suffering. That is your proved, dogged opposition to this bill.

We must educate the Assembly, and quickly. Last legislative session, the  former bill passed the Assembly. It was fast-tracked through the anti-wildlife Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (stacked with hunters' legislators) and immediately sent to the floor, where the full Assembly voted for it.

We stopped the bill in the Senate. Now, we must contact the Assembly, and stop it again. By now, you know the drill.

Susan Russell,
Co-Director

ACTION: CALL/EMAIL YOUR TWO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TODAY 

If you do not see your town listed below: Go here to find your legislators.

Remind your legislator that

• cruel trapping is very unpopular;
• according to Senate Environment and Energy Committee members, its few supporters provided "no information" to support it; 
• the U.S. Forest Service advises that when beavers do cause problems, "trapping and shooting" is "inefficient" and that non-lethal alternatives are "effective"; 
• New Jersey's law prohibiting leghold type traps garnered massive public support; body-gripping traps are agonizingly cruel; 
• accommodating a few dozen trappers is not worth the cost. 

Rather than regress, it is time for New Jersey to update antiquated and inhumane trapping laws. 

LEGISLATIVE CONTACT INFORMATION:

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland) - Avalon, Cape May City, Cape May Point, Commercial, Corbin City, Dennis, Downe, Estelle Manor, Fairfield Township, Greenwich, Hopewell Township, Lawrence, Lower Township, Maurice River, Middle Township, Millville City, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Shiloh, Stone Harbor, Stow Creek, Upper Township, Vineland, West Cape May, West Wildwood, Weymouth, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Woodbine

Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak (Dem)
21 North Main Street Cape May Court House, NJ 08210-2154
Phone: 609-465-0700 Fax: 609-465-4578
Email: AsmAndrzejczak@njleg.org

Assemblyman Samuel L. Fiocchi (Rep)
Email: AsmFiocchi@njleg.org

District 2 (Atlantic) - Absecon, Atlantic City, Brigantine, Buena, Buena Vista, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Folsom, Hamilton, Linwood, Longport, Margate, Mullica, Northfield, Pleasantville, Somers Point Ventnor

Assemblyman Chris A. Brown (Rep)
1801 Zion Road Suite 1 Northfield, NJ 08225-1147
Phone: 609-677-8266 Fax: 609-677-8853
Email: AsmBrown@njleg.org

Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo (Dem)
511 Tilton Rd., Northfield, NJ 08225-1269
Phone: 609-383-1388
Email: AsmMazzeo@njleg.org

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem) - Alloway, Bridgeton, Carneys Point, Clayton, Deerfield, East Greenwich, Elk, Elmer, Elsinboro, Franklin Township, Glassboro, Greenwich, Logan, Lower Alloways Creek, Mannington, National Park, Newfield, Oldmans, Paulsboro, Penns Grove, Pennsville, Pilesgrove, Pittsgrove, Quinton, Salem City, South Harrison, Swedesboro, Upper Deerfield, Upper Pittsgrove, West Deptford, Woodbury Heights, Woodstown

Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (Dem)
935 Kings Highway Suite 400 West Deptford, NJ 08086-2238
Phone: 856-251-9801 Fax: 856-251-9752
Email: AsmBurzichelli@njleg.org 

Assemblywoman Celeste M. Riley (Dem)
935 Kings Highway Suite 400 West Deptford, NJ 08086-2238
Phone: 856-251-9801 Fax: 856-251-9752
Email: AswRiley@njleg.org

District 4 (Camden and Gloucester) - Chesilhurst, Clementon, Gloucester Township, Laurel Springs, Lindenwold, Monroe, Pitman, Washington, Winslow

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (Dem)
129 Johnson Road Suite 1 Turnersville, NJ 08012-1777
Phone: 856-232-6700 Fax: 856-232-6844
Email: AsmMoriarty@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (Dem)
129 Johnson Road Suite 1 Turnersville, NJ 08012-1777
Phone: 856-232-6700 Fax: 856-232-6844
Email: AswMosquera@njleg.org

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester) - Audubon, Audubon Park, Barrington, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Camden, Deptford, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Harrison Township, Lawnside, Mantua, Mount Ephraim, Runnemede, Wenonah, Westville, Woodbury, Woodlynne

Assemblyman Angel Fuentes (Dem)
Audubon Commons Center, 130 Blackhorse Pike Suite D-3 Audubon, NJ 08106-1960
Phone: 856-547-4800 Fax: 856-547-5496
Email: AsmFuentes@njleg.org

Assemblyman Gilbert L. Wilson (Dem)
Audubon Commons Center, 130 Blackhorse Pike Suite D-3 Audubon, NJ 08106-1960
Phone: 856-547-4800 Fax: 856-547-5496
Email: AsmWilson@njleg.org

District 6 (Burlington and Camden) - Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gibbsboro, Haddon Township, Haddonfield, Hi-Nella, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Oaklyn, Pennsauken, Somerdale, Stratford, Tavistock, Voorhees

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (Dem) Majority Leader
1101 Laurel Oak Road Suite 150 Voorhees, NJ 08043-4322
Phone: 856-435-1247 Fax: 856-435-3849
Email: AsmGreenwald@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt (Dem)
1101 Laurel Oak Road Suite 150 Voorhees, NJ 08043-4322
Phone: 856-435-1247 Fax: 856-435-3849
Email: AswLampitt@njleg.org

District 7 (Burlington) - Beverly, Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Cinnaminson, Delanco, Delran, Edgewater Park, Fieldsboro, Florence, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, Riverton, Willingboro

Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr. (Dem)
8008 Route 130 North Suite 450 Delran, NJ 08075-1869
Phone: 856-461-3997 Fax: 856-461-3823
Email: AsmConners@njleg.org

Assemblyman Troy Singleton (Dem)
20000 Horizon Way Suite 190 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054-4303
Phone: 856-234-2790 Fax: 856-234-2957
Email: AsmSingleton@njleg.org

District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden) - Berlin, Eastampton, Evesham, Hainesport, Hammonton, Lumberton, Mansfield, Medford Lakes, Medford Township, Mount Holly, Pemberton Boro, Pemberton Township, Pine Hill, Shamong, Southampton, Springfield, Waterford, Westhampton, Woodland

Assemblyman Christopher J. Brown (Rep)
176 Route 70 Suite 13 Medford, NJ 08055-8704
Phone: 609-654-1498 Fax: 609-654-4518
Email: AsmBrown@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (Rep)
176 Route 70 Suite 13 Medford, NJ 08055-8704
Phone: 609-654-1498 Fax: 609-654-4518
Email: AswRodriguez-Gregg@njleg.org

District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean) - Barnegat Light, Barnegat Township, Bass River, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Folsom, Berkeley Township, Eagleswood, Galloway, Harvey Cedars, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Ocean Gate, Ocean Township, Pine Beach, Port Republic City, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, South Toms River, Stafford, Surf City, Tabernacle, Tuckerton, Washington Township

Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf (Rep)
620 West Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731-2244
Phone: 609-693-6700 Fax: 609-693-2469
Email: AsmRumpf@njleg.org

Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove (Rep)
620 West Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731-2244
Phone: 609-693-6700 Fax: 609-693-2469
Email: AswGove@njleg.org

District 10 (Ocean) - Bay Head, Brick, Island Heights, Lakehurst, Lavallette, Manchester, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Toms River Township

Assemblyman David W. Wolfe (Rep)
852 Highway 70 Brick, NJ 08724-2951
Phone: 732-840-9028 Fax: 732-840-9757
Email: AsmWolfe@njleg.org

Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin (Rep)
852 Highway 70 Brick, NJ 08724-2951
Phone: 732-840-9028 Fax: 732-840-9757
Email: AsmMcGuckin@njleg.org

District 11 (Monmouth) - Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Freehold Boro, Freehold Township, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls, West Long Branch

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (Rep)
1398 Highway 35 Suite 3 Ocean, NJ 07712-3544
Phone: 732-531-1045 Fax: 732-531-1706
Email: AswAngelini@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (Rep)
35 West Main Street Freehold, NJ 07728-2209
Phone: 732-866-1695 Fax: 732-866-4262
Email: AswCasagrande@njleg.org

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean) - Allentown, Chesterfield, Englishtown, Jackson, Manalapan, Matawan, Millstone Township, New Hanover, North Hanover, Old Bridge, Plumsted, Roosevelt, Upper Freehold

Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer (Rep)
405 Route 539 Cream Ridge, NJ 08514-2303
Phone: 609-758-0205 Fax: 609-758-0245
Email: AsmDancer@njleg.org

Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton (Rep)
516 Route 33 West Bldg. 2, Suite 2 Millstone, NJ 08535-8196
Phone: 732-446-3408 Fax: 732-446-3594
Email: AsmClifton@njleg.org

District 13 (Monmouth) - Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands Boro, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin (Rep)
225 Route 35 Suite 202 Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-383-7820
Email: AswHandlin@njleg.org

Assemblyman Declan J. O'Scanlon, Jr. (Rep)
32 Monmouth Street 3rd Floor Red Bank, NJ 07701-1614
Phone: 732-933-1591 Fax: 732-933-1598
Email: AsmOscanlon@njleg.org

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex) - Cranbury, East Windsor, Hamilton, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, Robbinsville, Spotswood

Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo (Dem)
4621A Nottingham Way Hamilton, NJ 08690-3819
Phone: 609-631-7501 Fax: 609-631-7531
Email: AsmDeAngelo@njleg.org

Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson (Dem)
3691A Nottingham Way Hamilton Square, NJ 08690-2611
Phone: 609-631-0198 Fax: 609-631-0324
Email: AsmBenson@njleg.org

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer) - East Amwell, Ewing, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Lambertville, Lawrence, Pennington, Trenton, West Amwell, West Windsor

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (Dem)
226 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608-1002
Phone: 609-292-0500 Fax: 609-633-2179
Email: reednj15@aol.com or AsmGusciora@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (Dem)
226 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608-1002
Phone: 609-292-0500 Fax: 609-633-2179
Email: AswWatsonColeman@njleg.org

District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset) - Branchburg, Delaware, Flemington, Hillsborough, Manville, Millstone Borough, Montgomery, Princeton Boro, Princeton Township, Raritan Borough, Readington, Rocky Hill, Somerville, South Brunswick, Stockton

Assemblyman Jack M. Ciattarelli (Rep)
50 Division Street Suite 200 Somerville, NJ 08876-2943
Phone: 908-450-7064 Fax: 908-450-7067
Email: AsmCiattarelli@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Donna M. Simon (Rep)
Address: 57 Main Street Flemington, NJ 08822-1412
Phone: 908-968-3304 Fax: 908-824-7287
Email: AswSimon@njleg.org

District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset) - Franklin Township, Milltown, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway

Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula (Dem)
888 Easton Avenue Somerset, NJ 08873-1898
Phone: 732-247-3999 Fax: 732-247-4383
Email: AsmChivukula@njleg.org

Assemblyman Joseph V. Egan (Dem)
100 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2165
Phone: 732-249-4550 Fax: 732-249-6426
Email: AsmEgan@njleg.org

District 18 (Middlesex) - East Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Plainfield, South River

Assembly Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. (Dem)
908 Oak Tree Avenue Unit P South Plainfield, NJ 07080-5135
Phone: 908-757-1677 Fax: 908-757-6841
Email: AsmDiegnan@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (Dem)
Email: AswPinkin@njleg.org

District 19 (Middlesex) - Carteret, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy, Woodbridge

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (Dem)
132 Main Street Suite A Sayreville, NJ 08872-1147
Phone: 732-432-8460 Fax: 732-432-8463
Email: AsmWisniewski@njleg.org

Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin (Dem)
569 Rahway Avenue Woodbridge, NJ 07095-3480
Phone: 732-855-7441 Fax: 732-855-7558
Email: AsmCoughlin@njleg.org

District 20 (Union) - Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle, Union Township

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (Dem)
985 Stuyvesant Avenue Union, NJ 07083-6909
Phone: 908-624-0880 Fax: 908-624-0587
Email: AsmCryan@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (Dem)
985 Stuyvesant Avenue Union, NJ 07083-6909
Phone: 908-624-0880 Fax: 908-624-0587
Email: AswQuijano@njleg.org

District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union) - Berkeley Heights, Bernards Township, Chatham Boro, Cranford, Far Hills, Garwood, Kenilworth, Long Hill, Mountainside, New Providence, Roselle Park, Springfield, Summit, Warren, Watchung, Westfield

Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick (Rep) Assembly Republican Leader
251 North Avenue West 2nd Floor Westfield, NJ 07090-1499
Phone: 908-232-2073 Fax: 908-232-2741
Email: AsmBramnick@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Nancy F. Munoz (Rep)
57 Union Place Suite 310 Summit, NJ 07901-2568
Phone: 908-918-0414 Fax: 908-918-0275
Email: AswMunoz@njleg.org

District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union) - Clark, Dunellen, Fanwood, Green Brook, Linden, Middlesex Boro, North Plainfield, Plainfield, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Winfield

Assemblyman Jerry Green (Dem)
17 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060-1207
Phone: 908-561-5757 Fax: 908-561-5547
Email: AsmGreen@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Linda Stender (Dem)
1801 East Second Street 2nd Floor Scotch Plains, NJ 07076-1749
Phone: 908 668-1900 Fax: 908-668-9962
Email: AswStender@njleg.org

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren) - Alexandria, Alpha, Bedminster, Bethlehem, Bloomsbury, Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Califon, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin, Franklin Township, Frenchtown, Glen Gardner, Greenwich, Hackettstown, Hampton Boro, Harmony, High Bridge, Holland, Kingwood, Lebanon Borough, Lebanon Township, Lopatcong, Mansfield, Milford, Peapack-Gladstone, Phillipsburg, Pohatcong, Raritan Township, South Bound Brook, Tewksbury, Union Township, Washington Boro, Washington Township

Assemblyman John DiMaio (Rep)
245 Route 22 Suite 208 Bridgewater, NJ 08807-2560
Phone: 908-722-1365 Fax: 908-722-1542
Email: AsmDiMaio@njleg.org

Assemblyman Erik Peterson (Rep)
178 Center Street Suite 2B Clinton, NJ 08809-2622
Phone: 908-238-0251 Fax: 908-238-0256
Email: AsmPeterson@njleg.org

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren) - Allamuchy, Andover Boro, Andover Township, Belvidere, Blairstown, Branchville, Byram, Frankford, Franklin Boro, Fredon, Frelinghuysen, Green, Hamburg, Hampton Township, Hardwick, Hardyston, Hopatcong, Hope, Independence, Knowlton, Lafayette, Liberty, Montague, Mount Olive, Newton, Ogdensburg, Oxford, Sandyston, Sparta, Stanhope, Stillwater, Sussex Borough, Vernon, Walpack, Wantage, White

Assemblyman Parker Space (Rep)
115 Demarest Road Suite 2B Sparta, NJ 07871-4405
Phone: 973-300-0200 Fax: 973-300-1744
Email: AsmSpace@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (Rep)
115 Demarest Road Suite 2B Sparta, NJ 07871-4405
Phone: 973-300-0200 Fax: 973-300-1744
Email: AswMcHose@njleg.org

District 25 (Morris and Somerset) - Bernardsville, Boonton Town, Boonton Township, Chester Boro, Chester Township, Denville, Dover Town, Mendham Boro, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morris Township, Morristown, Mount Arlington, Mountain Lakes, Netcong, Randolph Township, Rockaway Borough, Roxbury, Victory Gardens, Washington Township, Wharton

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (Rep)
146 Speedwell Avenue Morris Plains, NJ 07950-2316
Phone: 973-539-8113 Fax: 973-539-8752
Email: AsmCarroll@njleg.org

Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco (Rep)
1040 Route 10 West 1st Floor Randolph, NJ 07869-1844
Phone: 973-927-2526 Fax: 973-927-2529
Email: AsmBucco@njleg.org

District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic) - Butler, Fairfield Township, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, West Milford

Assemblyman Jay Webber (Rep)
1055 Parsippany Boulevard Suite 104 Parsippany, NJ 07054-1272
Phone: 973-265-0057
Email: AsmWebber@njleg.org

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (Rep)
1055 Parsippany Boulevard Suite 104 Parsippany, NJ 07054+1272
Phone: 973-265-0057
Email: AswDecroce@njleg.org

District 27 (Essex and Morris) - Caldwell, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Essex Fells, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Livingston, Madison, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange, West Orange

Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey (Dem)
511 Valley Street Maplewood, NJ 07040-1381
Phone: 973-762-1886 Fax: 973-762-6118
Email: AswJasey@njleg.org

Assemblyman John F. McKeon (Dem)
250 Main Street Madison, NJ 07940-2237
Phone: 973-377-1606 Fax: 973-377-0391
Email: AsmMcKeon@njleg.org

District 28 (Essex) - Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Newark, Nutley

Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo (Dem)
148-152 Franklin Street Belleville, NJ 07109-4051
Phone: 973-450-0484 Fax: 973-450-0487
Email: AsmCaputo@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker (Dem)
400 Lyons Avenue Newark, NJ 07112-1246
Phone: 973-926-4320
Email: AswTucker@njleg.org

District 29 (Essex) - Belleville, Newark

Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (Dem)
73-75 Ferry Street Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: 973-589-0713 Fax: 973-589-0716
Email: AswPintorMarin@njleg.org

Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (Dem)
223 Hawthorne Avenue 1st Floor Newark, NJ 07112-3620
Phone: 973-624-1730 Fax: 973-624-5045
Email: AswSpencer@njleg.org

District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean) - Avon-By-The-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Farmingdale, Howell, Lake Como, Lakewood, Manasquan, Point Pleasant Boro, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Wall

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (Rep)
1955 Highway 34 Bldg. 2A Wall Township, NJ 07719-9703
Phone: 732-974-0400 Fax: 732-974-2564
Email: AsmSKean@njleg.org

Assemblyman David P. Rible (Rep) Republican Conference Leader
1955 Highway 34 Bldg. 2A Wall Township, NJ 07719-9703
Phone: 732-974-0400 Fax: 732-974-2564
Email: AsmRible@njleg.org

District 31 (Hudson) - Bayonne, Jersey City

Assemblyman Charles Mainor (Dem)
2324 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07304-1531
Phone: 201-536-7851 Fax: 201-536-7854
Email: AsmMainor@njleg.org

Assemblyman Jason O'Donnell (Dem)
447 Broadway Bayonne, NJ 07002-3623
Phone: 201-436-0961
Email: AsmOdonnell@njleg.org

District 32 (Bergen and Hudson) - East Newark, Edgewater, Fairview, Guttenberg, Harrison, Kearny, North Bergen, Secaucus, West New York

Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (Dem) Assembly Speaker
1249 Paterson Plank Road Secaucus, NJ 07094-3255
Phone: 201-770-1303 Fax: 201-770-1326
Email: AsmPrieto@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Angelica M. Jimenez (Dem)
5600 Kennedy Boulevard Suite 104 West New York, NJ 07093-1256
Phone: 201-223-4247 Fax: 201-223-4624
Email: AswJimenez@njleg.org

District 33 (Hudson) - Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, Weehawken

Assemblyman Carmelo G. Garcia (Dem)
70 Hudson St., 7th Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5618
Phone: 201-714-4960 Fax: 201-714-4963
Email: AsmGarcia@njleg.org

Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (Dem)
70 Hudson St., 7th Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5618
Phone: 201-714-4960 Fax: 201-714-4963
Email: AsmMukherji@njleg.org

District 34 (Essex and Passaic) - Clifton, East Orange, Montclair, Orange

Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (Dem)
1333 Broad Street Clifton, NJ 07013-4234
Phone: 973-779-3125 Fax: 973-779-3156
Email: AsmGiblin@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver (Dem)
15-33 Halsted Street Suite 202 East Orange, NJ 07018-2239
Phone: 973-395-1166 Fax: 973-395-1724
Email: AswOliver@njleg.org

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic) - Elmwood Park, Garfield, Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson, Prospect Park

Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter (Dem)
191 Market Street Paterson, NJ 07505-1507
Phone: 973-925-7061
Email: AswSumter@njleg.org

Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly (Dem)
191 Market Street Paterson, NJ 07505-1507
Phone: 973-925-7061
Email: AsmWimberly@njleg.org

District 36 (Bergen and Passaic) - Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, North Arlington, Passaic, Ridgefield Boro, Ridgefield Park, Rutherford, South Hackensack, Teterboro, Wallington, Wood Ridge

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (Dem)
1 Howe Avenue Suite 302 Passaic, NJ 07055-4014
Phone: 973-249-3665 Fax: 973-249-6281
Email: AsmSchaer@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Marlene Caride (Dem)
613 Bergen Boulevard Ridgefield Boro, NJ 07657
Phone: 201-943-0615 Fax: 201-973-0984
Email: AswCaride@njleg.org

District 37 (Bergen) - Alpine, Bogota, Cresskill, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Leonia, Northvale, Palisades Park, Rockleigh, Teaneck, Tenafly

Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson (Dem)
545 Cedar Lane Teaneck, NJ 07666-1740
Phone: 201-836-4924 Fax: 201-928-0406
Email: AsmJohnson@njleg.org

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (Dem)
1 Engle Street Suite 108 Englewood, NJ 07631-2941
Phone: 201-541-1118 Fax: 201-541-1071
Email: AswVainieriHuttle@njleg.org

District 38 (Bergen and Passaic) - Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook

Assemblyman Timothy J. Eustace (Dem)
205 Robin Road Suite 330 Paramus, NJ 07652-1424
Phone: 201-576-9199 Fax: 201-576-9432
Email: AsmEustace@njleg.org

Assemblyman Joseph A. Lagana (Dem)
205 Robin Rd, Suite 330, Paramus, NJ 07652-1424
Phone: 201-576-9199 Fax: 201-576-9432
Email: AsmLagana@njleg.org

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic) - Bloomingdale, Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Montvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ringwood, River Vale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Wanaque, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (Rep)
287 Kinderkamack Road Westwood, NJ 07675-2233
Phone: 201-666-0881 Fax: 201-666-5255
Email: AswSchepisi@njleg.org

Assemblyman Robert Auth (Rep)
350 Madison Avenue 2nd Floor Cresskill, NJ 07626-1342
Phone: 201-567-2324 Fax: 201-567-8514
Email: AsmAuth@njleg.org

District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic) - Allendale, Cedar Grove, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Little Falls, Midland Park, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes, Ridgewood, Riverdale, Totowa, Waldwick, Wayne, Woodland Park Boro

Assemblyman Scott T. Rumana (Rep) Republican Whip
155 Route 46 West Suite 108 Wayne, NJ 07470-6831
Phone: 973-237-1362 Fax: 973-237-1364
Email: AsmRumana@njleg.org

Assemblyman David C. Russo (Rep)
22 Paterson Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432-1833
Phone: 201-444-9719 Fax: 201-444-9732
Email: AsmRusso@njleg.org

**Photo of trapped beaver courtesy of the Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC. Beaver in a Conibear or body-gripping trap.

2013 Election Endorsements/ Best & Worst

The League of Humane Voters of New Jersey's sole purpose is to unite voters who care about animals.

 

We are delighted to release our 2013 electoral endorsements. Please click here for LOHV-NJ endorsements, the LOHV-NJ 2013 Scorecard, and Additional Information. 

 

In the "Additional Information" section, we include legislators who are members of animal-use, trade-backed legislative caucuses responsible for animal suffering.

 

Read, and vote! Let compassion be your guide. LOHV-NJ also assembled the top legislators in animal protection and environment - see below.

 

BEST LEGISLATORS FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENT IN NEW JERSEY

1) 100% voting record

Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-16) 

Senator Joseph Vitale (D-19) 

2) 89% voting record 

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D-20) 

Assemblyman Jack M. Ciattarelli (R-16) 

3) 86% voting record 

Assemblyman Thomas Giblin (D-34)
Assemblyman Timothy Eustace (D-38) 

4) 83% voting record 

Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-37)
Senator Sandra B. Cunningham (D-31)

5) 80% voting record 

Senator Robert M. Gordon (D-38)
Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-15)
Senator Nia H. Gill, Esq. (D-34)
Senator Nellie Pou (D-35)

6) 75% voting record 

Senator Linda R. Greenstein (D-14)

WORST LEGISLATORS FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENT IN NEW JERSEY

1) 0% voting record 

Senator Steven V. Oroho (R-24)  

Assemblywoman Allison Littell McHose (R-24) 
Assemblyman Parker Space (R-24) 

2) 20% voting record 

Senator Joseph Pennacchio (R-26)
 

3) 25% voting record 

Assemblyman John DiMaio (R-23) 
 

4) 29% voting record 

Senator Anthony R. Bucco (R-25) 

5) 33% voting record 

Senator Bob Smith (D-17)  

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39) 
Senator Kevin J. O'Toole (R-40)

6) 38% voting record 

Senator Stephen M. Sweeney (D-3) 
Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-25) 
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23)  

Please use the above information and the LOHV-NJ Scorecard to help you in the upcoming election on November 5, 2013.

 

Sincerely,

 

Susan Russell      Angi Metler

Co-Directors, League of Humane Voters of New Jersey

Please ask your legislators to co-sponsor S2369/A2963

S2369, sponsored by Senator Raymond Lesniak, (D-20), is especially important legislation. Bear Smart legislation corrects the state's signal failure to organize, implement, and enforce non-lethal solutions preferred by 74% of New Jersey voters.

We all know the terrible cruelty, and sadness, of New Jersey's now annual bear hunt, or bait and shoot. Hunters bait mothers and cubs with pastries and other foods, using trail cameras to monitor the bears' every movement. The bloodied bodies of cubs, mere babies, and their mothers hauled in to the weigh stations have become a news staple during the week-long December kills. The tragedy is that the killing is utterly unnecessary.

Human-derived foods, be they unsecured trash or bait for bear and deer, condition bears to associate food with humans and lead to the very conflicts the state hunting agency claims baiting and hunting alleviate.

Please contact your legislator today. Find your legislator here.

Your message is simple: Ask your legislator to co-sponsor Senator Raymond Lesniak's Bear Smart legislation (S2369) to require bear-resistant trash containers and disallow baiting in bear habitat. Remind your legislators that 74% of New Jersey voters, in all geographic regions, prefer non-lethal solutions.

Bring friends, colleagues, and neighbors into the process. Asking one, two, or three other people to contact the Senator has a multiplier effect.

S2369 incorporates recommendations based on the best science and recommended by leading experts. The bill:

• Requires campgrounds, closed communities and bear-area municipalities to institute and enforce meaningful bear-resistant trash bi8n and dumpster programs.
• Addresses intentional baiting of bear and deer that food conditions bears and contributes to human-bear conflict.

To become more involved in this and other humane legislation, please contact us at info@lohvnj.org.

Remember, telephone calls and e-mails work.

Sincerely,

Susan Russell

Co-Director

League of Humane Voters - New Jersey

selizabethrussell@verizon.net

Join Us February 21! Humane Lobby Day

If there is one day that your presence will make a significant difference in New Jersey animal legislation- this is it. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with your state representatives and ask them to co-sponsor important animal bills and solidify their vote too! Sponsors are HSUS, the ASPCA, Farm Sanctuary, and the Animal Protection League of New Jersey. The top three issues that we will be focusing on are: Gestation Crate Ban Bill- thanks to your support last year, thisbill has passed through the Senate with overwhelming support- by a vote of 34-1. We now need your help to move it out of the Assembly. The bill merely asks for pregnant pigs to be able to stand up, lay down, and turn around freely. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that confining mother pigs in tiny crates causes them immense suffering. Cost of Care Bond Bill- this bill would require the defendant to post a bond to care for animals involved in cruelty cases every 30 days while the case is pending unless they agree to forfeit the animals. Bear Bill- this bill requires use of bear-resistant containers, dumpsters, or food boxes in certain areas located in black bear habitat under certain circumstances, including garbage collection, and prohibits certain actions that would result in feeding of black bears. Date: Thursday, February 21, 2013 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Address: New Jersey State Museum Auditorium 205 West State St. Trenton, NJ 08625 In order to attend Humane Lobby Day, you will need to RSVP. Please RSVP for the event at this site. Check out the Facebook event page. We urge you to not only attend Humane Lobby Day, but invite your friends, family, and neighbors to come with you. We need big numbers in the state house this year and are counting on you to be the voice for those that are most vulnerable - the animals.

Doris Lin, LOHV-NJ Legal Affairs, with her daughter Maple at Buono rally. You go, Doris and Maple!

The League officially endorses Buono.

See Doris in front row with hand held high.

Please email Monmouth Beach Mayor Susan Howard

FURTHER DISTRESSING RESIDENTS AND WILDLIFE, HUNTERS ARE SHOOTING BIRDS IN HURRICANE-RAVAGED MONMOUTH BEACH

Please email Monmouth Beach Mayor Susan Howard to register your outrage: Mayor@MonmouthBeach.us (Given recovery efforts, we do not want to flood the township’s telephone lines).

In hard-hit Monmouth Beach, the destruction and displacement caused by Hurricane Sandy is palpable. In red letters, the Monmouth Beach website lists the FEMA 800-number, FEMA Recovery Centers, and other emergency contacts.

Even as volunteers are assisting distressed homeowners any way they can, and while volunteer animal rescue groups are on-site, attempting to save cats and other animals who survived the storm, a few hardcore hunters are shooting it up, pursuing waterfowl also hard-hit by the storm, AND only yards from distressed homeowners, homes, and volunteers.

As reported by the Asbury Park Press in October, 2009, shooting in Monmouth Beach raises stress levels and evokes a startle response:

Last year, many of them came together to form a grass-roots group, Residents for a Peaceful River, which aims to stop the hunt in and along the Shrewsbury. Hundreds signed a petition to ban hunting in the area. This year, they're armed with a new weapon: A noise study they commissioned last winter.

The study was conducted by the Flemington-based Noise Consultancy, LLC, whose president, Eric Zwerling, directs Rutgers University's Noise Technical Assistance Center and is a noise-enforcement expert for the DEP.

On Jan. 19, The Noise Consultancy took sound readings from Eigenrauch's deck while a single hunter fired a shotgun 1,287 feet away. The company's analysis of the tests reported that the noise level of the shots ranged from 85.5 to 96 dBA, or A-weighted decibels, a unit of sound measurement used in testing environmental noise levels.

Citing standards set by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency, the report said the gun noise was more than loud enough to waken sleepers, invoke a startle response and cause stress. At the legal distance of 450 feet, the report said, the disturbance from the shots would be far greater. (APP).

Shooting during recovery from Hurricane Sandy is beyond the pale, for both affected humans and birds. Animal protection organizations, including the Animal Protection League of New Jersey, continue our efforts to assist the animals and people affected by Hurricane Sandy. For an update on our efforts, please go to http://www.facebook.com/#!/AnimalProtectionLeagueNJ?fref=ts

Please email today. And thank you.

Susan Russell, Wildlife Policy Specialist
League of Humane Voters of New Jersey

2011 Election Results

Thanks to everyone who voted for the candidates endorsed by LOHV-NJ.

We are proud to announce that Senator Robert Gordon (D-38), Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-38) and Mr. Tom Eustace (D-38) were victorious in yesterday's election. Julie O'Connor, our Legislative District Director, worked very hard in this district. Thanks, Julie! This race was an important win for the animals, as it was very close and hotly contested.

Out of 26 LOHV-NJ endorsed candidates, 23 won and 3 were defeated. See results below. Also visit http://lohvnj.org/endorse2011c.html for more information.

This election season was our first under the LOHV-NJ banner and it was intense. Many thanks to Laurie Perla for all her work compiling questionnaires and tabulating the scorecards. This was a huge task. In 2013, we are going to call on additional volunteers to help. Thanks to Merrilee Cichy, Legislative District Director, for helping candidates in Districts 31 & 40.

Many thanks to our LOHV-NJ steering committee and to our members who gave advice and suggestions. It was all appreciated.

For the Animals,

Angi Metler
State Chair
ametler@lohvnj.org

League of Humane Voters of New Jersey
PO Box 17, Manalapan, New Jersey 07726
www.lohvnj.org

---

ELECTION RESULTS:

Legislative District 15
Senator Shirley Turner (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 15
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 16
Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R) - WINNER

Legislative District 18
Senator Barbara Buono (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 19
Senator Joseph Vitale (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 20
Senator Raymond Lesniak (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 27
Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 31
Senator Sandra B. Cunningham (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 31
Assemblyman Charles Mainor (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 34
Senator Nia H. Gill, Esq. (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 35
Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D) running for Senate - WINNER

Legislative District 37
Senator Loretta Weinberg (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 37
Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 37
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 38
Senator Robert Gordon (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 38
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 38
Candidate Timothy Eustace (D) - WINNER

Legislative District 39
Assemblyman Robert Schroeder (R) - WINNER

Legislative District 40
Candidate for Assembly Cassandra Lazzara (D) - DEFEATED

FREEHOLDER RACES

Bergen County Freeholder:
Joan M. Voss (D) - WINNER

Bergen County Freeholder:
David L. Ganz (D) - WINNER

Essex County Freeholder-At-Large:
Marilynn English (I) - DEFEATED

Monmouth County Freeholder:
Amy Mallett (D) - DEFEATED

LOCAL RACES

Holmdel Township Committee Race
Mayor Pat Impreveduto (R) - WINNER

Old Bridge Mayoral Race
Candidate for Mayor Owen Henry (R) - WINNER

West Milford Mayoral Race
Mayor Bettina Bieri running for re-election. (D) - WINNER

Deer and Jockey Hollow: A chance to get it right

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110814/NJOPINION03/308140001/Deer-Jockey-Hollow-chance-get-right

By Susan Russell

Blame for degraded conditions at Morristown National Historical Park has fallen solely on the white-tailed deer. The Park Service acknowledges that many of its proposals are based on hypotheses.

Deer numbers have not spontaneously “exploded;” the species was pushed. The first order of business is to stop the pushing.

The second is instilling a modicum of ethics in how civil society treats timid animals that are farmed as “crops” for the amusement, and profit, of so few.

The third is to usher interests who sell bullets out of the “conservation” business, especially when taxpayers are footing the bill. Antiquated game management policies conflict with broader science and societal needs.

The National Park Service had for decades resisted managing park lands to maximize deer and recreational hunting. As a result, and with natural fluctuations, the MNHP deer population remained stable.

In 1975, researchers stipulated that the unhunted deer at Jockey Hollow were not damaging the understory. “But look at the 1980s,” say kill advocates. By all means: In 1977, the Journal of Wildlife Management reported that “deer herds are being managed with ever-increasing intensity, with a primary management plan of increasing the productivity of the whitetail deer through habitat manipulation and harvest regulation.”

For decades, the killing of males forced unnaturally high reproduction, as did habitat manipulation. In less than ideal habitat, 38 percent of does bear twins at hunted sites, versus 14 percent at non-hunted sites. In optimum habitat, killing keeps birth rates high. Depending on the ratio, killing females can keep a high density population “productive.” Killing too many deer can lead to population collapse.

Jockey Hollow is not an ecological island. Ultimately, the park and its deer were influenced by outside “game” management, pervasive hunting, development, and, early on, Park Service failure to mechanically remove invasive Japanese barberry.

The cumulative impacts began to be seen during the 1980s. There are seven Wildlife Management Areas in Morris County. Black River WMA “enhances” deer breeding range; on its outskirts, townships kill deer as pests. Burning and early succession, or deer range, are current conservation vogues. The Morris County Parks Commission and New Jersey Audubon exacerbated matters by initiating sustained hunts at Lewis Morris Park, adjacent to MNHP, and 16 other parks. Deer respond to human predation by moving deeper into forests and unhunted tracts. Hunted does will expand their home range by 30 percent.

Game managers indict the native whitetail for not consuming Jockey Hollow’s non-native Japanese barberry, and for browsing on what is left of the native understory. Japanese barberry, once promoted by game agencies, is highly invasive in the absence of deer, its seed spread by birds. Barberry’s roots are shallow but tough, it grows several feet tall, and it shades out native plants. Exclosure studies in Connecticut show Japanese barberry within, and without, deer exclosures.

The whitetail is a keystone herbivore that has co-evolved with forests for 3.4 million to 3.9 million years.

“The Science of Overabundance” (Smithsonian) cautioned that absent adequate science, “management should not continue to reduce deer numbers systematically to enhance woody tree production because this may have dire consequences for the entire ecosystem.”

According to Yale University studies (2010), deer density is not a leading factor in determining variation in vegetation impacts across western Connecticut: “the empirical basis for presumptions that white-tailed deer cause forest regeneration failure is limited.”

“Species diversity was generally higher outside of deer exclosures,” reports another Connecticut study, “smaller canopy trees seemed to benefit from deer browsing.”

2004 studies conclude that white-tailed deer represent a significant vector of seed dispersal for hundreds of native plant species across North America landscape. The Smithsonian also makes this point.

Studies in Virginia show that deer affect “only the smaller stage classes of trees likely to die due to other limiting factors” and do not, as the Park Service plan says, affect forest canopy diversity down the line unless other disturbances — proposed by the Service — are present.

Thinning tree canopies and “controlled” burning proposed by the Park Service are deer range management, and will both draw deer and lead to higher reproduction.

According to forestry experts: “Typically, a forest that consisted primarily of large oak trees may naturally reproduce to become one in which oak is a minor component or absent altogether.”

If you’ve heard none of this, ask why.

It is not fashionable to defend this beleaguered species. Conservation groups partnered with gun, ammunition and archery manufacturers (“nature-related businesses”) exuberantly pursue the systematic killing of deer, even in our back yards. Commercial partners who caused the problem profit from de-regulation and increased hunter access to private and public land. The trade has identified both as necessary for (sharply declining) client retention and recruitment.

With a wink and a nod, the seminal cause of artificial abundance, and mitigating science, remain resolutely off the table. All are important in resolving the problem, where it exists.

The partners’ steering committee, dominated by shooting interests, pursues “mutually beneficial” management. Micro-managed habitat, “good” and “bad” native species, both plant and animal, “preferred” species, killing natural predators, large and small, so that humans may shoot them, and deer, which leads to more killing — designer forests. Except that 99 percent of the public is not in on the private deal, “commodity-based conservation.”

This is 2011. Our forests and our wildlife are national treasures. They are not owned by unseemly partnerships based on, and perpetuating, 19th century attitudes and mistakes.

Susan Russell is a wildlife policy specialist for the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey in Manalapan.

Join the Largest Voting Bloc in New Jersey's History

When you sign up with the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey, you will be adding your name to the growing list of New Jersey residents who vote for animal-friendly politicians—incumbents (current position-holders) and their challengers. From mayors in your local town to legislators in Trenton, your voice will be heard.

By becoming a member, you are also:


showing every NJ politician that if they cave to pressure from those who abuse and exploit animals, they will not get your vote

speaking out for all animals in NJ—from cats to deer to pigs to bears to cows to geese and all animals in between

showing that compassionate people who care about animals and vote, outnumber the abusers and exploiters by a huge margin

strengthening our state’s animal advocacy movement in the only place it really counts—the political arena

BE A PART OF THIS IMPORTANT AND VITAL EFFORT

LOHV-NJ seeks to unite animal advocates throughout New Jersey, forming the largest pro-animal voting bloc in our state’s history.

Becoming a member of LOHV-NJ is the best way to express just how much animal protection means to you as a voter. And it’s the only language politicians speak.

Sign up online at: www.lohvnj.org/contact.html

PCRM asked us to post the following initiative, which we support wholeheartedly:

Dear New Jersey League of Humane Voters,

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) needs your help on an issue that not only impacts human health, but the welfare of animals and the planet.

PCRM is urging Congress to include plant-based options into the National School Lunch Program which impacts 30 million children annually. PCRM's Healthy School Lunches campaign (www.healthyschoollunches.org) is advocating a vegetarian, plant-based lunch option and healthful nut-based beverage options. This would improve the health of our children and help to prevent the slaughter of billions of animals.

New Jersey Representatives Donald Payne and Russ Holt are on the Education and Labor Committee which oversee the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act. This Act is coming up for review shortly. Payne and Holt's support of what PCRM is proposing is essential to get a plant-based option into the National School Lunch Program.

I am looking for as many people as possible to call, write or meet with Representatives Payne and Holt to encourage them to support the change. Would you be willing to help us? If so, please contact me as soon as possible at sporto@pcrm.org or 914-305-5324.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Suzan Porto, J.D.
NYC Tri-State Grassroots Organizer
PCRM--Legislative Fund
sporto@pcrm.org
914-305-5324
914-659-5513 (cell)
www.pcrm.org