WILMINGTON, Del. — Senator Chris Coons is co-sponsoring the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, a bill that will devote $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help thousands of at-risk wildlife species nationwide.

“We’re facing a looming wildlife crisis, and this is the most important piece of wildlife legislation  in the past fifty years,” said Joanne McGeoch, Interim Executive Director, Delaware Nature Society. “We thank Senator Coons for co-sponsoring this fiscally responsible effort to help at-risk wildlife with collaborative, voluntary measures across every state, territory and Tribal nation.” 

The bill will send $11.2 million annually to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, which will use the funds to implement its wildlife action plan. More than 690 local species would benefit, including the Delmarva fox squirrel and the Atlantic horseshoe crab.

“Saving the thousands of at-risk wildlife species will require bold, bipartisan leadership and unprecedented collaboration,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation and the former Secretary of the Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “We are so grateful to Senator Coons for leading the way on the historic Recovering America’s Wildlife Act that will have an immediate impact – saving species and creating jobs in Delaware and all across the country.”

At least 15 percent of the funds will be used to help species already designated as endangered or threatened. Federally recognized tribal nations would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts on tribal lands. 

Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester is among the more than 100 bipartisan supporters of the House version of the legislation. 

“Wildlife conservation is an issue that unites all Americans. We hope Senator Carper and the rest of the Delaware delegation will join Senator Coons in cosponsoring this commonsense bill,” said McGeoch.