The reintroduced America’s Wildlife Recovery Act will help wildlife thrive for future generations by investing up to $1.4 billion each year in proactive, voluntary, locally led conservation efforts. The landmark legislation, introduced by US Senators Martin Heinrich (DN.M.) and Thom Tillis (RN.C.), will restore endangered plant and wildlife species and help prevent extinctions while creating jobs and protecting communities, businesses and traditions that depend on wildlife.
“America’s wildlife is in crisis, with approximately one-third of all species at elevated risk of disappearing from our backyards and rural areas. The bipartisan America’s Wildlife Recovery Act is the solution we need to help people and wildlife thrive for future generations,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. Wild. “Thank you to Senators Martin Heinrich and Thom Tillis for introducing the most important wildlife conservation legislation in half a century. Congress should pass this bill as soon as possible to secure our shared wildlife heritage before it’s too late.”
“This bipartisan bill will ensure strong populations of wildlife in New Mexico, from burrowing owls to bighorn sheep,” said Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. “We are grateful to Senator Heinrich for continuing to champion this common sense but critical proposal that will save money while protecting wildlife.”
The US Wildlife Recovery Act will invest up to $1.4 billion each year in state, territorial and tribal conservation plans to restore species and habitats most at risk of disappearing. States will receive funds based on a formula that includes population, physical size, and current number of endangered species.
“This is the most important conservation legislation we’ve seen in fifty years,” said Tim Gestwicki, executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. “All North Carolinians can be proud that Senator Tillis is leading this cost-effective, common-sense proposal to protect our nation’s wildlife heritage.”
The bill will also provide $97.5 million in dedicated funding for wildlife recovery efforts led by indigenous communities. This will be the first consistent source of conservation funding for the 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations, which manage tens of millions of acres of land across the country.
The reintroduction of the bill comes as the nation prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, which has helped save species from the brink of extinction such as the whooping crane, bald eagle, and american alligator. The US Wildlife Recovery Act will help prevent declining species from needing federal protections, while devoting more resources to those already federally listed.
More information:
+ Find out how much money each state could receive
+ Read a summary of the invoice
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