Photo: Loggerhead Shrike, Roger Baker/Audubon Photography Awards
On June 14 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, H.R. 2773, 231 to 190. Northern Virginia Representatives Spanberger, Beyer, Wexton and Connolly voted for it. Now it’s up to the Senate, so please write to Senators Warner and Kaine and let them know that their help is needed to recover imperiled wildlife and plants. A direct, personal communication is the most effective, but if you are pressed for time you also can voice your opinion through the National Audubon Society’s website.
Once approved by the Senate, the legislation would provide sorely-needed funding to states, Tribal Nations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve and recover imperiled wildlife and plant species. Under the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, states would receive $1.3 billion in dedicated funding for proactive, on-the-ground conservation projects to help species of greatest conservation need in their state. In Virginia, a large part of the Department of Wildlife Resources comes from hunting and fishing licenses, making this additional infusion of funds a lifeline for Virginia’s non-game wildlife.
America's wildlife is in crisis—science tells us that we've lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction due to climate change. In September 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that 23 additional species, including 11 birds, are now extinct.
Once you have written to Senators Warner and Kaine, please take a moment to send a thank you note to your representative in the House who voted for H.R. 2773:
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, 7th District (also a co-sponsor)
Rep. Don Beyer, 8th District
Rep. Jennifer Wexton, 10th District
Rep. Gerry Connolly, 11th District (also a co-sponsor)
You can verify the name of your representative at Who's My Legislator.