Heinrich: New U.S. State of the Birds Report Underscores Why Congress Must Pass Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

WASHINGTON — A new report released today shows more than half of U.S. bird species are declining. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said the landmark report underscored the need to invest in states, territories, and Tribes’ efforts to conserve and restore wildlife and habitat by passing the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. 

The 2022 U.S. State of the Birds Report released today by the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) uses the latest bird monitoring and scientific data to assess the status and health of all U.S. bird species. The report shows that birds are declining overall in every habitat except in wetlands, where decades of investment have resulted in dramatic gains. 

“The State of the Birds report paints a grim picture for birds, but it also shows how concerted conservation efforts and investments can recover species. Similar to laws like the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is widely supported and would smartly address the wildlife crisis in this country,” said Heinrich. “I introduced the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act—or RAWA—to invest in proactive, on-the-ground conservation work led by states, territories, and Tribal nations to support the long-term health of fish and wildlife and their habitat all across America. Without enough resources, wildlife agencies have been forced to pick and choose which species are worth saving. We urgently need to change this paradigm and save thousands of species with a solution that matches the magnitude of the challenge. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act offers us a constructive path forward. Passing RAWA into law will mean our grandchildren will be able to experience the same rich and abundant American wildlife—from bumblebees to bison—that we have been so lucky to grow up with. I am confident that if we can keep up our momentum, we will pass this bill through the full Senate with broad, bipartisan support.” 

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act invests in proactive, on-the-ground conservation work led by states, territories, and Tribal nations to support the long-term health of fish and wildlife and their habitat all across America. These locally-driven, science-based strategies would restore populations of species with the greatest conservation need. 

Since introduction in the Senate in July 2021, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act has gained significant momentum with 36 bipartisan sponsors and cosponsors, and its principles are backed by over 60 Tribes and 1,500 organizations representing state fish and wildlife agencies, sportsmen and women, conservation groups, and industry associations and businesses. The bill was voted out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) in April and awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.