The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) takes critical step ahead amidst release of declining bird populations report
By Bethany Erb, Pheasants Forever Government Affairs Representative
This week The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) reports having 124 bipartisan cosponsors.
That's good news, and a big Thank You goes out to all of the PF/QF members and volunteers who have made calls and visits asking members to cosponsor the bill. A high cosponsor number is an important indicator for a bill’s popularity. We recently learned that a House hearing is anticipated for October and a Senate version is expected this fall as well.
H.R. 3742 will provide $1.4 billion in dedicated annual funding to state wildlife agencies and tribes for conservation efforts to recover wildlife species at risk. H.R. 3842 will create a much-needed permeant dedicated funding source for state wildlife agencies. If passed, we should see large-scale habitat efforts enacted that benefit pheasants, quail and all wildlife.
A recent study by Science referenced in the
State of the Birds Report states that nearly 30% of all North American birds have disappeared in the last 50 years. The greatest decline has been documented in grassland bird species, and we have certainly seen declines of pheasant and quail throughout their range over the last 50 years. The good news is, if we receive additional funds, we can increase populations by creating more high-quality grasslands and prairies, as well as other habitats for at-risk species.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is part of a solution to the species declines we’re seeing and the shortfall in funding for national wildlife conservation efforts. RAWA is important to all hunter-conservationists and wildlife lovers!
Please check back here for updates on House and Senate efforts, and follow PF/QF on our social media accounts to stay abreast of this important legislation.
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Photo credit: Can Stock Photo / jamietipton