New Senate Bill Would Help At-Risk Species, Boost Wildlife Conservation Funding

Species cherished by hunters and anglers, like sharp-tailed grouse, would see great benefits from the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Photo by Madison Hyde.

Locally-led efforts to prevent extinctions and help at-risk wildlife species across the nation would be funded through new bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will allocate approximately $17.6 million to Idaho each year, which the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will use to help hundreds of species of concern, including bighorn sheep, sharp-tailed grouse, and mountain goats.

“Sportsmen have always been leaders in supporting wildlife through funding and on-the-ground efforts. Today, hunters and anglers are rallying around this important legislation for Idaho’s at-risk wildlife species.” said Brian Brooks, IWF’s executive director. “Not only would iconic Idaho species benefit through increased recovery efforts and funding, but sportsmen and women could see increased and enhanced opportunity statewide.”

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was just introduced in the Senate by Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). A similar version of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was introduced in the House in April, which Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson co-sponsored.

“The historic, bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is by far the most important piece of wildlife legislation in the past half century,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “At a time when more than one-third of wildlife species are at heightened risk of extinction, this critical legislation will help recover thousands of at-risk species through proactive, collaborative efforts in every state, territory, and Tribal nation, creating jobs while preventing extinctions. We applaud the incredible bipartisan leadership of Senator Heinrich and Senator Blunt, and their House partners Rep. Dingell and Rep. Fortenberry, who are all demonstrating once again that wildlife conservation can unite all Americans.”

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act dedicates $1.4 billion annually to locally-led wildlife restoration efforts across the country, with most of the money going to wildlife agencies like the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, who will use the money to implement existing plans for at-risk wildlife through the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). At least 15 percent of the funds will be used to help species that are already considered endangered or threatened. Tribal Nations, such as the Nez Perce and Shoshone-Bannock, would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts on the tens of millions of acres under Tribal management nationwide.

To date, more than 1,500 businesses and organizations have signed on in support of the legislation including IWF and many IWF affiliate organizations