Winter 2022 Newsletter

Texas Alliance for America's Fish & Wildlife Winter 2022 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is farther along than any session of Congress in the bill’s history! The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the bill in December and is expected to hold the Committee vote on it in late March or April. The House bill has already been voted favorably out of committee, with a 29-15 vote in January. Both committees are discussing adjustments to the bills to have them ready for floor votes later this year.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide $1.3 billion in annual funding to states and tribes for projects that help stabilize the nation’s more than 12,000 at-risk fish and wildlife species and the habitats upon which they depend. Roughly $50 million per year would be for projects in Texas. Each states’ wildlife agencies would distribute the funds to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, researchers, private landowners, and other entities to support wildlife habitat enhancement, species research, and other conservation projects about designated Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN).

Past success in restoring imperiled species such as bald eagles, white-tailed deer, waterfowl, and brown pelicans has shown that conservation funding of the type provided by the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is vital to save wildlife species from extinction. Studies show that roughly one-third of all wildlife species are declining or facing serious threats. The focus of this legislation would be to restore populations before they become endangered.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act has broad bipartisan support, with 160 co-sponsors in the House and 32 in the Senate. More than 1,500 groups, including sportsmen, conservation organizations, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and state and federal wildlife agencies support passage of the bill.

“As soon as the bills are ready to go to House and Senate floors for a vote, we’ll be in touch to let you know what you can do to help,” said Janice Bezanson, Senior Policy Director for Texas Conservation Alliance. “We need to get this bill over the finish line in 2022.”

TAAFW sends a big “Thank you!” for everything you have done and continue to do to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. This game-changing legislation could be the difference between stability and extinction for thousands of fish and wildlife species.

Texas Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife

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Win, Win, Win. The January issue of Texas Wildlife, the magazine of the Texas Wildlife Association, highlights the bi-partisan Recovering America's Wildlife Act, which will help fund conservation and economic growth, both in Texas and across the U.S. Click here and use the arrows on the right to scroll to the article on pages 34-37. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

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Congress Funds Improvements to Wildlife Habitat

The Infrastructure and Job Acts Bill, signed into law Nov. 2021, includes billions of dollars for public lands projects and habitat restoration. Here, a wildlife crossing over the Trans Canada Highway enables humans and wildlife to travel safely.

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Calling All Birders!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology maintains a running list of bird festivals across the US. Click here to see what festivals are headed your way or plan your own "big year" birding trip.

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When Turtles Fly

It's a long migration from Cape Cod to the Texas gulf coast. When endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles get stranded, an amazing human intervention helps get them home to their breeding grounds. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife

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Cause for Concern About Fireflies

The Xerces Society has recently released a report, State of the Fireflies of the United States and Canada: Distributions,Threats, and Conservation Recommendations, showing that 18 firefly species in the U.S. and Canada are endangered. The report also offers an action plan to help protect this iconic species of our summer nights.

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Here, Kitty, Kitty Seven partner organizations are exploring the feasibility of reintroducing the endangered ocelot to a portion of their historical range in Texas that is distinct from known populations’ currently occupied habitat. Click here to learn if this little "big cat" many have a new habitat to call home.

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Enjoy a wide range of archived webinars in the Wildlife Diversity Webinar Series from Texas Parks & Wildlife on the TPWD YouTube channel. Image credit: Texas Parks & Wildlife

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