Bill reauthorizing refuge volunteers passes Senate

Senators passed the Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act (H.R. 3979) on April 9, following its passage by the House of Representatives in December. It will now go to President Trump to be signed into law.

This bill amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize refuge volunteer services, community partnerships and education programs and to allow the Interior Department to accept gifts and bequests to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These programs are now authorized through fiscal year 2022.

In November 2017, The Wildlife Society signed a letter to support the bill as it went through the House.

Read the bill at congress.gov.