Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June with a bi-partisan vote and was sent to the Senate for approval. RAWA will help conserve our nation’s wildlife by dedicating $1.3 billion for state-level conservation and $97.5 million to Tribal Nations to recover and sustain healthy bird, fish, and other wildlife populations. Funding will be used to implement on-the-ground conservation efforts such as conserving and restoring habitats, fighting invasive species, reintroducing native species, and tackling emerging diseases for more than 12,000 species, including 800 kinds of birds. Identified Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are outlined in the congressionally mandated State Wildlife Action Plans to inform their conservation actions in each state. Iowa DNR has hundreds of creatures listed in its SGCN, and Iowa could annually receive $13 to $15 million or more annually to save wildlife and habitat.
Funding to Tribal Nations will allow for the expansion of
conservation efforts on their Native American lands, which provide vital
habitat for hundreds of fish and wildlife species, including more than 500
species listed as threatened or endangered.
Saving wildlife nationwide is an investment in a clean, sustainable, and thriving economy for both rural and urban communities. RAWA will help create more than 30,000 jobs and over $93 billion in economic activity good for wildlife, taxpayers, and business. Iowa Audubon and National Audubon’s Minnesota-Iowa-Missouri regional office ask that you contact our Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, urging them to vote in favor of passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act when it comes to the Senate floor. There is a pause while Senate is in August recess, but RAWA action could start when back in session this September. Go to the following Audubon link and easily sign a letter to urge Senators Grassley and Ernst to help pass RAWA: https://act.audubon.org/a/rawa-senate