New government funds will help conserve, restore and enhance migratory bird habitat across the country. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, a group tasked with considering and approving areas of land or water recommended for purchase or rental to conserve wetlands and related habitat for migratory birds, approved the funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Overall, the commission approved $44.79 million for migratory bird wetland projects and $22.6 million for land purchases on three national wildlife refuges across three states to conserve 5,254 acres. The purchase of additional wildlife refuge land is made possible by the sale of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as Duck Stamps, and duties on imported arms and ammunition. The funds will include the purchase of 5,254 acres of waterfowl habitat at areas including the Moody National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia and the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois.
“We all benefit from healthier ecosystems and more abundant fish and wildlife,” said USFWS Director Brian Nesvik. “The funding for national wildlife refuges will provide increased public opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting, fishing and wildlife observation.”
Read more in the press release from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
