The Association Applauds House Passage of the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the House of Representatives for passing the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 (H.R.4389). On April 9, the full House passed this bipartisan bill by voice vote.

“We thank all members of the House for their commitment to provide critical funding for projects to promote the conservation of Neotropical migratory birds in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association. “Absent this dedicated effort to support conservation projects in these areas, Neotropical migratory birds, many of which are Species of Greatest Conservation Need, would continue to decline as they have been for the past fifty years.”

Once enacted, this bill will reauthorize and revise the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act through Fiscal Year 2028 at $6.5 million annually.  This revision will enact an increase in the federal cost share of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program from 25% to 33% (i.e., a 1-3 match to a 1-2 match public-to-private), allowing for more partners to participate in the program, generating a wider variety of projects and reducing barriers to conservation action.

The legislation was introduced by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Dave Joyce (R-OH), and Mary Peltola (D-AK). A Senate version (S.4022) was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), last month, which is expected to consider soon.

Since 2002, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act has awarded more than $89 million in grants to over 700 migratory bird conservation projects in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Partner organizations have contributed an additional $346 million to these projects, which have protected more than 5 million acres of habitat in the Western Hemisphere. 

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—the organization that represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies—promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook /AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife.