WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio.), will support habitat protection, researching, monitoring, and capacity building to ensure long-term protection of neotropical migratory birds.

“Many North American bird populations are already in decline, with migratory birds facing additional challenges because they also depend on healthy habitats to support them during migration and winter,” said Mike Leahy, senior director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “For species that spend time outside of the United States and Canada, it’s important to partner with Latin American and Caribbean countries and provide needed funding assistance for their conservation efforts. The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act improves a proven existing program in order to strategically support more conservation actions where they can do the most good for the migratory birds we depend on for economic and environmental benefits and shares with other countries. Thank you to Senators Cardin and Portman for their leadership on this important issue.”

“Along with community partners, the National Aquarium has documented hundreds of bird species during local BioBlitz events. Each species serves as a reminder of the importance of migratory bird conservation and the many benefits these birds have on our region’s economy and environment,” said Laura Bankey, vice president of conservation programs for the National Aquarium. “For over 20 years, neotropical migratory bird conservation grants have leveraged significant additional investment to improve millions of acres of bird habitat, increase research and monitoring, and support outreach and education. We applaud Senators Cardin and Portman for introducing legislation to strengthen this program.”

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act aims to protect birds that winter south of the border and summer in North America by providing matching grants to fund projects promoting the conservation of neotropical migratory birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, with at least 75 percent of funding going to projects outside the United States.