What to do when scientists who study the environment continually face funding cuts from governments?

Solutions #1:
1.    Create a children's book.
2.    Print only 100,000 books.
3.    On the front cover of each book, print the # of the edition (ie, 453/100,000)
4.    Once the 100,000 books are sold, I would also print copies and send them to libraries. (Of course, without the no. of editions printed on the front cover).
5.    I would also put a request for a env. photographer to offer his/her services for free to take photographs for the book.  Or ask people to volunteer shots.
ie If you need a children's book for inspiration, read the "The Giving Tree". Think if you had written the book, how you would have used the photographer to take specific shots of the tree in growth right on down to the tree's unfortunate end. There are a lot of stories to tell.

Solutions #2:

Invest in ecological huts and conduct tours (at the same time that you collect specimens.)

Solutions #3:

Invite speakers to speak on certain topics in that area, and ask the locals if they wish to create art pieces to be sold during these speaking events.

Solutions #4:

Wherever possible see if you can organize a volunteer group who can help with some tasks.