The House approved increases in funding for programs that benefit birds and other wildlife.
Courtesy American Bird Conservatory |
The United States House of Representatives has approved a number of funding increases for programs benefiting birds and other wildlife. Funding for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, State Wildlife Grants and the International Forestry Program have all been increased.
“The funding increases approved by the house will benefit birds as well as the millions of Americans who enjoy visiting natural areas and watching wildlife,” said Darin Schroeder, policy director for American Bird Conservatory.
The House approved $5 million for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, a grant program that conserves the native habitats of migratory songbirds in Mexico, the Caribbean and South and Central America. And $8 million was approved for the International Forestry Program, which works to restore migratory bird habitats.
State and Tribal Wildlife Grants will receive $85 million from this year’s budget. This is a federal program that aims to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered in every state. Projects that are supported by this program protect and restore important lands and waters, collect information on what types of wildlife are in danger, and work with landowners to protect declining species and habitats on public and private lands.
Other programs supported by American Bird Conservatory and the Bird Conservation Funding Coalition that will receive funding include: the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management program and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.