Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Maria Salazar (R-FL) introduced the Migratory Birds of Americas Conservation Enhancements Act. This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act and ensure we continue to provide robust conservation funding for migratory birds in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
“Given the threat of habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species, we must do everything we can to support and protect migratory birds for the next generation of Americans. The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act would invest in wildlife and habitat conservation efforts, bolster our outdoor economy, and protect our environmental heritage all while addressing the urgent conservation needs for these species,” said Rep. Ron Kind.
“Birds are a vital part of our unique South Florida ecosystem and must be actively protected,” said Rep. Maria Salazar. “Neotropical birds that span the Americas are not only unique, but are critical to pollinating many plant species in our forests and wetlands.”
“Migratory birds transcend national borders, which is why we need a hemispheric approach to conservation,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society. “Three billion birds have been lost since 1970, and the same factors that threaten them also threaten our own communities. This bill will help provide the investments we need to protect the places that both birds and people need to survive.”
“Migratory birds provide tremendous value to millions of Americans, and make a significant contribution to the economy,” said Jennifer Cipolletti, American Bird Conservancy’s Director of Conservation Advocacy. “What’s better for birds is better for people and this bill will help meet the needs and demands of effective conservation projects. Birds don’t know borders, so making the program more accessible to partner organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean will help begin to reverse the loss of nearly 3 billion birds.”
The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act provides competitive grants for habitat conservation, research and monitoring, and community outreach and education. The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2022 would reauthorize this critical program for the next five years. This bipartisan legislation would allow more projects to receive funding and promote the long-term conservation of migratory birds.
Read the bipartisan bill here.
