Tell Congress to Support Legislation to Conserve
Our Rapidly Disappearing Migratory Birds!

More than one third of the 650 species that breed in the United States are in long-term decline! At least 29 species of migratory birds have experienced population declines of 45% or greater since the 1960s. Some species, such as the Cerulean Warbler and Olive-sided Flycatcher, have declined more than 70%. We have an opportunity to help restore these populations with the Act for Songbirds Campaign, a collaborative effort between members of the Bird Conservation Alliance.

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) is America's Act for Songbirds. It 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. Currently, however, many more requests for high quality conservation projects are made than can currently be funded. Expanding this program is vital to achieving conservation goals that benefit both our environment and economy.

Lawmakers have proposed an early reauthorization of the Act. Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), has introduced bipartisan legislation (S. 3490) in the Senate, and Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) introduced similar bipartisan legislation, H.R. 5756, in the House of Representatives. Both bills reauthorize the existing NMBCA, but at significantly higher levels to multiply the successes of this program. You can help ensure these bills pass in the Senate and House.

The Act currently provides a maximum authorization of $6 million per year; however, last year Congress only appropriated $4.5 million. Under the proposed bills, the amount of authorized funding would increase to $20 million by 2015. Grants require matching funds from other non-federal sources at a rate of three to one, and are distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).