Ducks Unlimited applauds bipartisan support of RAWA
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act improves how wildlife resources are managed and creates a dedicated vehicle to sustainably fund conservation across the country.
December 08, 2021 •
1
min read
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Dec. 8, 2021 A Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing today showed bipartisan support for the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (RAWA).
The Act would create a dedicated annual funding mechanism to empower the work of state wildlife agencies across America. These agencies are charged with creating State Wildlife Action Plans to chart where action is needed. To date, Wildlife Action plans have identified more than 12,000 species in greatest need of conservation.
In response to these challenges, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies created the 28-member Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining Americas Diverse Fish &Wildlife Resources. Co-chaired by Johnny Morris and Dave Freudenthal, the former governor of Wyoming, the panel was composed of national business and conservation leaders from a diversity of backgrounds. Panelists represented outdoor recreation retail and manufacturing, energy and automotive industries, private landowners, educational institutions, conservation organizations, sportsmens organizations and state fish and wildlife agencies.
The panel identified the need to create a dedicated, consistent mechanism to fund the work of state fish and wildlife agencies. Such a reliable funding source would not only provide the resources necessary for state agencies to execute conservation, but to allow them to strategically plan for success.
The current funding vehicle for these projects is inadequate, providing only $65 million annually to be split amongst all 50 U.S. states and territories. The Recovering Americas Wildlife Act would provide targeted, sustainable funding where it can be used for its largest conservation impact.
