<your name>
<your return address>
<your city, state and zip>

<recipient’s full name>
<recipient’s address>
<recipient’s city, state and zip>

<date>

Dear <recipient’s name>

    The Northern Rocky Mountain Bioregion consists of parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and is the last great expanse of native biodiversity in the contiguous United States.  This ecosystem still contains all of the species present during the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition (Wild Rockies Action Fund 2005).  This bioregion is the last stronghold for Gray wolves, Woodland caribou, Bull trout, and Grizzly bears, among many others (American Wildlands 2006).  Over time, these animals, and many others, have developed instinctual movements and migrations from one core area to another in order to ensure genetic diversity, as well as to obtain crucial resources and establish territories.  A connected ecosystem consisting of core areas linked by biological connecting corridors is essential to ensure the future health and longevity of the entire region.

    The majority of these lands are already protected under the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or under various state agencies.  More than 20 million acres in between and around, however, still remain unprotected and are becoming increasingly vulnerable to destruction by road-building, logging, mining, and commercial, residential, and industrial development.  These modern impoundments fragment valuable habitat and interrupt crucial corridors of migration and movement.  When interacting populations are broken up and isolated, the chance of species survival, and ultimately ecosystem survival, is drastically diminished (Conservation Biology 2005).  

      This ecosystem including the lands already protected and the vital corridors yet to be protected must be preserved before the last remaining suitable habitats are further fragmented and isolated forever.  Short-term development and resource profits must take a back seat to habitat and ecosystem conservation.  By conserving and connecting the habitat of the umbrella species of the region, countless natural resources, recreation opportunities, jobs, and virtually all other species within the region will be protected as well.  Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

<your name>