Migratory Bird Conservation Bill Passed by the U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON (April 18, 2024) – A bipartisan bill that reauthorizes and enhances a conservation program for migratory birds throughout the Americas was passed by the Senate by voice vote yesterday. The bill, known as the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act (H.R. 4389/S. 4022), was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, the bill heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

The Senate legislation was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.). The House legislation was co-sponsored by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Dave Joyce (R-OH), and Mary Peltola (D-AK).

“Migratory birds are now winging their way across borders, traveling thousands of miles along their routes for spring migration, and need conservation at every step along the way,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer of the National Audubon Society. “In addition to delighting 96 million birdwatching Americans every year, migratory species play critical roles in the habitats that they pass through and nest. By reauthorizing this program, we can help ensure their survival and the endurance of the communities they share for decades more to come. We are grateful for Senator Cardin and Senator Boozman’s commitment to conservation and to the protection of our nation’s migratory birds, and we look forward to President Biden signing this legislation soon.”

The legislation will reauthorize funding and enhance accessibility for partners to participate in the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) program, which has funded more than 700 projects in 43 countries, conserving 350 species that nest in the U.S. and Canada, and winter in Latin America and the Caribbean. For example, the NMBCA has conserved key forested landscapes for Cerulean Warblers from the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia to the Andes Mountains in Colombia, improved grassland habitat for Bobolinks on working lands from New York to Argentina, and benefitted shorebirds such as Hudsonian Godwits from Alaska to Chile.

This release available in Spanish.

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Media Contact: Robyn Shepherd, robyn.shepherd@audubon.org