House Introduces Migratory Bird Conservation Bill

Hello, American Bird Conservancy Action Fund Supporters!

In case you missed it, a recording of our webinar, “Commemorating 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act” is now available. During the event, Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA), Chris Farmer, Hawai‘i Program Director (ABC), and Steve Holmer, Vice President of Policy (ABC and ABC Action Fund) spoke about the need to strengthen the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the law’s passage. The webinar was hosted to celebrate this anniversary and the release of the ABC Action Fund’s report, “Celebrating 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act.” The report provides information on the history, accomplishments, and future outlook of the ESA.

ABC extends a special thanks to Rep. Huffman for working to uphold and strengthen the ESA.

House Introduces Migratory Bird Conservation Bill

On June 27, 2023, a bipartisan group of House leaders — led by Representative María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and joined by Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Mary Peltola (D-AK) — introduced the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA), a federal grants program for conserving migratory birds across the Americas, receives authorization for five more years.

NMBCA is unlike many other federal grants in that projects abroad receive 75% of the funding. This is necessary because wintering habitat for birds in the Western hemisphere is most often outside the United States. By conserving wintering habitat birds can thrive before moving to their breeding ground in the U.S. and elsewhere.

ProNatura, a Mexican nonprofit, was awarded four grants from NMBCA over the course of several years for Reddish Egret conservation and habitat restoration. These grants were crucial for shaping the Reddish Egret International Working Group and its subsequent 10-year conservation plan. This is just one example of how NMBCA facilitates international collaboration and successful conservation work.

Millions of birds, including the Reddish Egret, have benefited from NMBCA conservation projects since the law’s passage in 2002. For the continued conservation of migratory species today, NMBCA must be reauthorized and expanded with a funding boost.

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 raises the federal cost share and increases the appropriations level from $5 million annually to $10 million by 2028. This will create more grant opportunities for diverse stakeholders to complete meaningful conservation projects.

Now is the time to build on this momentum. Please send a letter to your member(s) of Congress to urge them to support the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023!