Tennessee Wildlife Federation
  • Latest News
  • Issues
    • Policy Action Center
    • Invasive Carp in Tennessee’s Waters
    • Chronic Wasting Disease
    • Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
    • Share Our Rivers
    • Solve Litter
  • Programs
    • Conservation Policy
    • Hunters for the Hungry
    • Scholastic Clay Target Program
    • Habitat Conservation
    • Hunting and Fishing Academy
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • History
    • Board & Staff
    • Conservation Achievement Awards
    • Contact
    • Media Resources
  • Ways to Give
    • One-time Donation
    • Monthly Giving
    • Gifts in Loving Memory
    • Legacy Giving
    • Corporate Council
    • Non Cash Gifts
    • Crypto
    • More Ways to Help
  • Donate
  • Menu Menu

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Keep Wildlife from Becoming Endangered

December 18, 2017/in Conservation Policy, News /by Kate Hill

Bobwhite Quail by Dallise Temple

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Funds Proactive, State-led Efforts Nationwide
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Would Receive $20.8 Million Annually

According to the 2015 Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan, more than 1,400 Tennessee plant and animal species are listed as being in greatest need of conservation, including the Northern Bobwhite Quail, the Chickamauga Crayfish, the Virginia Big-eared Bat, and the Red Squirrel.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, introduced by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), would direct $1.3 billion of existing revenue from oil and gas activities on federal lands and waters towards state-led efforts to prevent species like these from becoming endangered. From these funds, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) would receive $20.8 million annually.

>>READ MORE: Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Like state wildlife agencies nationwide, TWRA is legally mandated to manage and conserve all species in the state. However, the management of nearly 1,500 species that are “in need of conservation” or included on the federal endangered and threatened species list has largely gone unfunded. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would address that issue and enable the agency to manage species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. Prevention costs a fraction of the billions of tax dollars and lost private revenue that conserving a single endangered species costs.

“Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has revitalized countless species through science-based management. This bill is a reasonable investment in that proven and pragmatic approach,” said Michael Butler, chief executive officer of the independent nonprofit, Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “When a species is listed as endangered, it causes a tremendous amount of conflict and cost in the private sector around habitats and land use. And the government’s expenses skyrocket as it rushes to conserve a small population. This bill gives Tennessee the chance to avoid those scenarios.”

Factors such as habitat loss, invasive species, and disease have taken a significant toll on birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, and bees in Tennessee and across the nation. In Tennessee, there are currently more than 70 federally listed threatened and endangered wildlife species.

“Right now, America’s wildlife are in crisis and need our help,” Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation, said about the bill. “As many of one-third of all wildlife species in our nation are at risk. We need to act now to ensure that future generations of Americans inherit the full diversity of our nation’s fish and wildlife. We thank Representatives Fortenberry and Dingell for introducing the historic Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.”

The legislation builds upon the successes of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) and the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson) that have allowed America to lead the world in the conservation of species, such as deer, elk, wild turkeys, and many species of waterfowl and sportfish.

“We need to get this bill passed and I hope Tennessee’s members of the House, along with Senators Alexander and Corker, will support it enthusiastically. Future generations of Tennesseans will thank us if we work together to get this right,” said Michael.

Organizations, businesses and individuals across the state can join the Tennessee Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife to show their support for this critical legislation by visiting tnwf.org/join-the-alliance.

The alliance is being spearheaded by Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

The legislation will enable the recovery of wildlife populations by funding proactive and collaborative on-the-ground conservation actions. These efforts will be guided by the State Wildlife Action Plans, which are developed collaboratively by state fish and wildlife agencies in consultation with conservation partners, landowners, businesses, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. States will be required to provide 25 percent matching funds.

“The approach is unique because it calls for early action to save struggling wildlife, rather than waiting until species are on the brink of extinction. When this bill becomes law, we will increase wildlife populations, strengthen America’s economy, and reduce the need for regulatory measures,” said Collin.

Learn more about Recovering America’s Wildlife Act at tnwf.org/Recovering-Americas-Wildlife-Act

 


Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://tnwf.org/tennesseewf/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DalliseTemple2.jpg 750 1030 Kate Hill https://tnwf.org/tennesseewf/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/TWF_Logo_horizontal2-e1585681401361.png Kate Hill2017-12-18 13:15:402019-07-03 09:51:33Bipartisan Bill Aims to Keep Wildlife from Becoming Endangered
Filter by Topic
Achievements
Anglers
Asian Carp
Chronic Wasting Disease
Conservation Policy
Deer
Fish
Habitat Conservation
Hunters
Hunters for the Hungry
Hunting and Fishing Academy
Lands
News
Nongame Wildlife
Public Lands Transfer
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
Share Our Rivers
Tennessee SCTP
Turkey
Waterfowl
Waters
Wildlife Watchers
Tennessee Wildlife Federation logo


300 Orlando Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
(615) 353-1133

© 2023 Tennessee Wildlife Federation

Donate for Wildlife
Take Action
Volunteer for Wildlife
Create a Wildlife Habitat
Programs
Media Resources
Latest News
Contact
Privacy
A Bee Obituary Federation CEO Joins TVA Council
Scroll to top
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT