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Native Plant Society of Texas

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act: Sample letters for contacting your representative

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RAWA Needs Your Support

UPDATE: On January 19, 2022, the US House Committee on Natural Resources voted favorably to advance RAWA (H.R. 2773) with a bipartisan 29-15 vote of the Committee. Consequently, it is time to communicate with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and individual Texas House representatives and request that they vote to approve RAWA ASAP by a vote of the entire House.

In an August post, NPSOT encouraged members to support the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). This new legislation filed in the U.S. Senate will fund locally-led efforts to prevent declining species from becoming endangered and help wildlife thrive nationwide. If the bill is passed, Texas Parks and Wildlife would send grant funds across Texas to conservation organizations, universities, nature centers, and others to fund much-needed conservation projects.

How to Help

  • Below are a couple of letter templates that you can use to contact your representatives.
  • If you need assistance, visit the website for the Texas Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife to learn how to help or the National Wildlife Federation Act Now page.

Downloadable Sample Letters (Word)

Sample Letter to Representatives to Support RAWA

Sample Letter to Senators to Support RAWA

Outline for Handwritten Letter

Tips for Chapters

Consider writing and mailing a hand-written letter. This personal gesture can go a long way.

Type up a letter and have your chapter members sign it at your next in-person meeting (if your chapter is meeting in person).

While we all feel passionately about these issues, remember to be polite and respectful in all your communications with representatives.

More about the Act

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About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason