SEATTLE, WA — Senator Patty Murray has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that will dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help at-risk wildlife species nationwide.

The bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote in June. The Senate bill now has 42 cosponsors overall, including 16 Republicans. 

“This bill will make a huge difference for wildlife in every state including Washington, giving our Fish and Wildlife Department capacity to address the epic challenges facing our ecosystems,” said Mitch Friedman, executive director of Conservation Northwest. “We are deeply grateful for Senator Murray’s support of this bold, bipartisan effort to protect our wildlife heritage.”

The bill would send $20.7 million to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife which the agency will use to implement its wildlife action plan. The plan identifies 268 priority species, including the western pond turtle, olympic marmot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly.

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would be a game changer for restoring biodiversity in Washington,” said Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind. “Dedicated and ongoing funding would support proactive conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats, benefitting Washington’s 268 species of greatest conservation need. We want to thank Senator Murray for her support of the bill and hope the Senate acts swiftly to pass the act into law so the department, our partners, and Washington tribes can get to work.”

“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. “We are so grateful to Senator Murray for leading the way on the historic Recovering America’s Wildlife Act that will have an immediate impact – saving species and creating jobs in Washington and all across the country.”

Federally recognized tribal nations, including the 29 in Washington, would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts the lands they manage. 

Representatives DelBene, Jayapal, Kilmer, Larsen, Schrier, Smith and Strickland are among the more than 230 representatives who voted to pass the House version of the legislation.