April 26, 2024
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is excited to have Senator Britt (R-AL) and Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) sign onto bipartisan legislation, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.1149), that would provide critical funding to state fish and wildlife agencies and tribal fish and wildlife managers to effectively conserve our nation’s fish and wildlife for future generations.
“The need for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is indisputable,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “This is common sense collaborative conservation, and it is widely supported by a growing and diverse national coalition. We applaud Senator Britt and Senator Klobuchar for their leadership and support of this important bill and stand ready to assist in passing this bill for our fish and wildlife and for current and future generations.”
This bipartisan legislation will dedicate $1.3 billion annually to state fish and wildlife agencies to implement their science-based wildlife action plans and an additional $97.5 million for tribal fish and wildlife managers to conserve fish and wildlife on tribal lands and waters. There continues to be broad bipartisan political support for passage of this bill, and we know from extensive polling and public opinion research that public support is there too.
If passed, this bill will not only help the one-third of wildlife species in the United States currently at risk of becoming threatened or endangered, but also save taxpayer money by implementing proactive solutions to conserve those species in greatest need and prevent future endangered species listings. This legislation would boost our outdoor recreation economy, which depends on healthy fish and wildlife populations. It would ensure more wildlife viewing opportunities, which directly contributes to millions of jobs and billions in annual consumer spending nationally. With passage of the Act, States could start implementing these projects right away.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the 117th Congress but never received a Senate floor vote, despite having 47 bipartisan cosponsors. Senators Britt and Klobuchar are new cosponsors to the bill and join 9 Republican colleagues in the Senate and 8 Democrats and Independents for a total of 19 bipartisan cosponsors.
“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help thousands of wildlife species through proactive, collaborative, on-the-ground efforts. This legislation will increase wildlife populations, strengthen America’s economy, and reduce the need for regulatory measures,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “We know what needs to be done on the ground for wildlife—and it takes time and dedicated funding to achieve it, that is why this bill is so critically needed.”
These critical efforts are supported by the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife, whose purpose is to create a 21st-century funding model for critically needed conservation of our nation’s most precious natural resources, our fish and wildlife. The Alliance represents the national coalition united behind passing this game changing legislation, consisting of partners representing the outdoor recreation, retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and automotive industries, private landowners, tribal nations, educational institutions, sportsmen’s and other conservation organizations and state and federal fish and wildlife agencies.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.