Why it matters: Thanks to the leadership of Senators Henrich and Blunt, S. 2372 marks the first time that Recovering America’s Wildlife has been introduced in the Senate with permanent and dedicated funding – a necessary funding structure to deliver on-the-ground species recovery. The EPW Committee vote scheduled for Thursday marks the furthest Recovering America’s Wildlife Act has progressed in the Senate and is a sign of the wide-spread support for this legislation.
On Thursday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will convene to vote on the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, marking a significant step in the legislative process for this critically important legislation.
In 2015, CSF, along with more than two dozen of the nation’s leading fish and wildlife conservation organizations, helped develop the concept of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. CSF has remained a leading organization in advocating for the passage of this legislation as a member of the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife – a broad coalition working to advance Recovering America’s Wildlife Act in both the House and Senate. Since the concept of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was first developed, CSF’s President and CEO, Jeff Crane, has served as the legislative co-chair of the Alliance along with Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act seeks to provide nearly $1.4 billion annually for proactive, non-regulatory conservation projects in every state, territory, and on tribal lands and waters, S. 2372 would be one of the most significant investments in fish and wildlife conservation in a lifetime. As a result of this historic opportunity, in the last six months, S. 2372 has garnered the support of 32 bipartisan Senators who now co-sponsor the legislation.
CSF extends our appreciation to Senators Heinrich and Blunt for continuing to serve as conservation champions and for spearheading Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. CSF is also grateful for EPW Committee Chair and CSC Member Sen. Tom Carper (DE) and Ranking Member and CSC Member Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (WV) for bringing this legislation before the Committee for a vote.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
