For Immediate Release: June 11, 2008

Contacts:
, American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 216

Congress Acts to Save America’s Migratory Birds

Report Highlights 71 Migratory Species of Conservation Concern; Alarming Population Declines in 29 Songbird Species

(Washington, D.C.) The alarming decline of migratory birds has prompted lawmakers to propose an early reauthorization of a successful conservation program, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA). Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) have introduced H.R. 5756 which reauthorizes NMBCA at a significantly higher funding level to multiply the successes of this program.

Saving Migratory Birds for Future Generations: The Success of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, a new report by American Bird Conservancy, details the disturbing downward trend in the populations of migratory bird species and its causes. The report also documents the effectiveness of NMBCA in helping to stem these declines and conserve migratory birds.

Kentucky Warbler. Photo: USFWS

“By passing this legislation we can help prevent America’s native birds from disappearing,” said Darin Schroeder, American Bird Conservancy’s Executive Director of Conservation Advocacy. “Nearly half of our songbird species are now in decline or facing serious threats; the good news is that it isn’t too late to turn the situation around.”

“Of the 178 continental bird species included on the American Bird Conservancy/Audubon WatchList of birds of highest conservation concern, over one-third, 71 species, are Neotropical migrants,” said George Wallace, Ph.D., Vice President for International Programs for American Bird Conservancy. “At least 29 species of migratory songbirds are estimated to have experienced population declines 45% or greater since surveys began in the 1960s. Several species, such as the Cerulean Warbler and Olive-sided Flycatcher, have declined more than 70%.”

Representatives Kind and Gilchrest issued the following statements when they introduced H.R. 5756:

“The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act has a proven track record of reversing habitat loss and advancing conservation strategies for the broad range of Neotropical birds that populate America and the Western Hemisphere,” Rep. Kind said. “The public-private partnerships along with the international collaboration it provides are integral to preserving vulnerable bird populations. Expanding this program is vital to achieving conservation goals critical to our environment and economy.”

“The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act is helping ensure that shorebirds and songbirds that migrate through Maryland have healthy and abundant habitat so they can keep returning here each year,” said Rep. Gilchrest. “Just as importantly, this federal program is a good value for taxpayers, historically leveraging over four dollars in partner contributions for every one that we spend.”

American Bird Conservancy and the Bird Conservation Alliance, a broad network of bird clubs, science, and conservation organizations, have launched the Act for Songbirds Campaign, to support reauthorizing the legislation and boosting funding levels each year. Citizens are being encouraged to contact their Representative in support of the legislation at http://www.abcbirds.org/action.

“This legislation has the support of the birding community behind it,” said Alicia King, Director of the Bird Conservation Alliance. “Millions of Americans love birdwatching and want to see lawmakers take action to conserve migratory birds.”

“NMBCA remains one of the very few significant funding sources specifically dedicated to bird conservation in Latin America,” said Sara Ines Lara, Executive Director of the Colombian conservation group Fundación ProAves. “Thanks to NMBCA, ProAves has been able to collaborate with American Bird Conservancy to launch a variety of significant conservation initiatives, including establishing the Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve—the first reserve specifically established for a Neotropical migrant landbird in South America.”

The report Saving Migratory Birds for Future Generations: The Success of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act can be viewed at www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/act_songbirds.pdf. A Bird News Network video featuring Representatives Kind and Gilchrest discussing the need for this legislation is available at http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/video/bnn5_wmv.html.

Background
NMBCA supports partnership programs to conserve birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, where approximately five billion birds of over 500 species, including some of the most endangered birds in North America, spend their winters. Projects include activities that benefit bird populations, such as habitat restoration, research and monitoring, law enforcement, and outreach and education. Between 2002 and 2007, the program supported 225 projects, coordinated by partners in 44 U.S. states/territories and 34 other countries. More than $21 million from NMBCA grants has leveraged over $95 million in partner contributions. Projects involving land conservation have affected about 3 million acres of bird habitat.

NMBCA currently provides a maximum authorization of $6 million per year; last year Congress appropriated $4.5 million, a $500 thousand increase from the previous year. Under the new law, that amount would increase to $20 million by 2015. Grants require matching funds from other non-federal sources at a rate of 3:1, and are distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Agency staff report that they currently receive many more requests for high quality conservation projects than they can currently provide grants for. FWS lists 341 bird species as Neotropical migrants: http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NMBCA/BirdList.shtm.

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American Bird Conservancy is the only 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 is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator.

View the press release in Spanish.