The U.S. federal government plays a huge role in bird conservation. Federal agencies are among American Bird Conservancy's (ABC) most important partners, managing large swaths of public lands and waters, providing funding, and administering programs that restore habitats, reduce hazards to birds, recover threatened and endangered species, and much more. 

Congress is currently making decisions about federal funding, and many conservation-focused agencies and programs are facing major cuts. As we await a more concrete picture of the funding amounts appropriated to various federal grant programs, agencies, and initiatives, we want to keep you informed of how the federal budget is used to impact birds. There is still a lot of process left, which makes now a great time to learn more and take action. Learn more and take action! 

UPDATE | July 2, 2025 

On July 1, 2025, the United States Senate passed its version of “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a budget reconciliation bill, by a narrow margin of 51-50 with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie.

The Senate version clawed back funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which were already promised to agencies and programs that impact bird conservation. Such rescissions include funding for environmental review implementation at the Environmental Protection Agency, collection of environmental and climate data, funding for the US Forest Service, and funding for Endangered Species Act Recovery plans. It also contains language which opens up key public lands which serve as breeding grounds for birds to increased development.

Throughout the course of debate, some particularly negative provisions were dropped including a public lands sell-off mandate and a program that would fast-track project reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and make any findings unchallengeable by courts or future administrators. ABC is glad to see these provisions dropped from the bill.

The bill maintains and, in some cases, increases funding for some Natural Resources Conservation Service programs, including the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Each program allows for growers, ranchers, and land owners to implement bird and wildlife-friendly practices while maintaining productivity. 

However, with IRA funds being rescinded for this year, producers – and NGOs that were contracted to provide conservation delivery support – may not be reimbursed for completed work. Furthermore, the reorganization of federal funding and projected $4 trillion added to the deficit will likely have negative impacts on future funding. We expect to see smaller budgets for other agencies and programs under the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Forest Service, US Geological Survey, and Environmental Protection Agency proposed in the coming weeks and years.

The reconciliation bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for its consideration. ABC continues to talk with lawmakers and regulators about our conservation priorities and to encourage that necessary conservation funding be restored. To weigh in on the budget bill right now the best thing to do is call your Representative at 202-225-3121 and urge them to vote NO. We also urgently need voices asking for our core programs to maintain funding in the upcoming regular budget cycle called appropriations, which can reverse the proposed cuts.

Take Bold Action for Birds NOW: Let your legislators know that bird conservation is essential and deserves a central place in the federal budget.

Public Land Is Essential Bird Habitat 

The federal budget funds the management operations for 640 million acres of public lands administered by the National Park Service, Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, including over 500 National Wildlife Refuges managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. From Alaska to Florida, these landscapes provide unfragmented habitat that also serves a vital role in Americans' connection to nature. Over time, these agencies' budgets have been reduced, resulting in deferred maintenance that has decreased the quality of habitat and outdoor experiences for us all. Our public lands provide vital wild space for wildlife; the agencies that manage them need full funding to ensure biodiversity thrives. 

Many Programs Target Specific Bird Needs

Federal programs are typically established by passing a new law or reauthorizing an existing one. Many of these programs require annual funding to ensure that the agencies responsible for administering them are able to carry out the work, including efforts that conserve birds. 

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an example of a recently reauthorized federal program that funds the conservation of critical wetland habitats used by millions of waterfowl and migratory birds. Each year, ABC works with partners to ensure the program is fully funded and can be put on the ground to retain our nation's remaining wetlands while also establishing new ones.

Likewise, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative conserves birds by funding habitat restoration, invasive species management, and water quality improvement projects in the Great Lakes region. This initiative has supported ABC's work in important ways, helping us and our partners to increase the population of the formerly Endangered Kirtland's Warbler, enhance migratory bird stopover habitat, and manage forests for migratory birds. 

Another critical program for birds is the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA), a grant program that funds projects across the Americas that conserve migratory birds and their habitats. Most of the funds support habitats in Latin America and the Caribbean. By conserving these habitats, NMBCA helps to ensure beloved species, such as the Baltimore Oriole and Cerulean Warbler, make it to and from their breeding habitats in the United States. 

The list goes on, but these federal programs are undeniably essential to ensuring we have feathered friends in a changing world. Real concerns about the budgeting process could put many of these successful programs on the chopping block.

Minimizing Threats to Birds

Another critical agency that impacts bird conservation is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA provides a range of services that include everything from its familiar role in the enforcement of pollution laws to approving or restricting pesticides for use across the country, and determining label instructions for pesticides and herbicides. A major part of its work with chemicals is to ensure that pesticide use does not harm threatened and endangered birds, which can happen when herbicides drift away from target fields and degrade habitat, or when insecticides kill beneficial native insects that birds rely on.

The EPA has also begun working with other agencies, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture, to strike a balance between producing resources and protecting wildlife. Robust support for the EPA is necessary to continue this important work.

Help Keep Birds in the Budget 

There are many more programs and agencies that birds rely on than we can mention here. The first round of funding bills from the House of Representatives includes major cuts to many of these bird conservation programs and introduces language that would weaken bedrock environmental laws.

ABC works across borders to conserve birds and reduce their biggest threats. Federal support and the efforts of dedicated public servants are essential to reversing the loss of nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. Birds are not only ecologically vital, but economically too: Birding contributes more than $279 billion to the U.S. economy each year. ABC's policy team is working to ensure that birds get the funding they need — but the most powerful voice in this fight is yours. The next stop in the budget process is for the United States Senate to consider the bills passed by the House and the requests made by the president, before it votes on its own reconciliation bill. In the next few weeks, there will be many opportunities for us to make our voices heard. Right now, please let your representatives know that birds and bird conservation funding matter to you!

Take action today! Let your elected officials know that bird conservation is essential and deserves a central place in the federal budget.

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American Bird Conservancy (ABC) takes bold action to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, we achieve lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet's fragile climate. Our every action is underpinned by science, strengthened by partnerships, and rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives yield stronger results. Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1994, ABC remains committed to safeguarding birds for generations to come. Join us! Together, we can do more to ensure birds thrive.

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