For Immediate Release: September 30, 2006

Contacts:

, American Bird Conservancy, 202 277 5459
, American Bird Conservancy, 202 234 7181 ext. 204

U.S. Senate Passes Crucial Legislation to Protect Migratory Birds

Bill now winging its way to the President to be signed into law

Washington, D.C. - Late yesterday evening, the United States Senate unanimously passed a revised Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act of 2006 (NMBCIA, H.R. 518). The legislation, originally authored by Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), was added to H.R. 4957, the Tylersville Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act. The NMBCIA authorizes matching grants to support conservation programs for migratory birds, and when fully implemented, will authorize $6.5 million per year for projects.

"Today's passage of the NMBCIA will help a broad range of migratory birds, from the Cerulean Warbler to the Baltimore Oriole, by ensuring they will have the healthy habitat they need on both ends of their annual migration," said George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy. "Migratory birds are not only beautiful and interesting creatures eagerly welcomed by millions of Americans into their backyards every year, they play vital biological, recreational, and economic roles. For example, migratory birds help generate $2.7 billion annually* to the U.S. economy through wildlife watching activities, and they help our farmers by consuming billions of harmful insect pests from many important commercial food crop and forest species."

Each year, an estimated 10 billion birds of some 800 species breed in North America. Only a small percentage are protected under the Endangered Species Act, yet more than one-third have declining populations, are restricted to small ranges, or face serious threats. NMBCIA is the only federal funding program designed specifically for migratory bird species throughout North America, and it also provides the only dedicated source of funds for migratory birds on their wintering grounds in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"American Bird Conservancy would particularly like to thank Congressman Ron Kind, House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo, Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman James Inhofe, and Senator Lincoln Chafee for their hard work in securing passage of this important bill," concluded Fenwick.

From 2002 through 2006, partners in 42 U.S. states and 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries have been involved in 186 Act-supported projects. More than $17.2 million in grants provided under the Act has leveraged some $89.1 million in total partner contributions to support activities that bring long-term benefits to Neotropical migratory birds. Projects involving land conservation have affected some 3.2 million acres of bird habitat, and species that are benefiting include the Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Bobolink, Red Knot, and Bicknell's Thrush.

Conservation groups, including ABC and other members of the Bird Conservation Alliance (130 groups collaborating to support bird conservation), have fought to gain passage of the Act, which reauthorizes the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 that expired last year. Once signed into law, it will enable the only significant federal funding source for neotropical migratory birds to continue through 2010.

For more information, see: http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NMBCA/index.shtm.

*Outdoor Industry Foundation: "The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy"

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American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is the only 501(c)(3) organization that works solely to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, while building capacity in the conservation movement. ABC is the voice for birds, ensuring that they are adequately protected; that sufficient funding is available for bird conservation; and that land is protected and properly managed to maintain viable habitat. ABC sets the bird conservation agenda by using the best science available to determine the highest priorities and the best solutions, and then communicating these priorities to the conservation community and the public through alliances, partnerships, and networks. ABC counts among its staff some of the foremost experts in bird conservation in the United States, and partners with many others throughout the Americas.

ABC is a membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group Charity Navigator.