Last week, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla, threw her support behind the “Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act” from U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisc.
“This bill will ensure we continue providing robust conservation for migratory birds in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” Salazar’s office noted. “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 reauthorizes this program for the next 5 years and authorizes increased funding each year. This bill will fund more projects and provide greater positive impacts to migratory birds. It is crucial that we safeguard our wildlife and the environment, and the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act will help ensure these migratory birds are conserved for generations to come.”
Over in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Mary., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, are championing the proposal.
“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 Kind.
“Birds are a vital part of our South Florida ecosystem and must be actively protected,” said Salazar. “Neotropical birds that span the Americas are not only unique but are critical to pollinating many plant species in our forests and wetlands.”
The proposal has the backing of the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy.
Kind’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.
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