TWS urges funding for federal conservation programs in FY 2024

The Wildlife Society recently submitted written testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, requesting increased funding for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Land Management in Fiscal Year 2024.

“Programs implemented by the Department of Interior support the work of wildlife professionals in their efforts to effectively conserve and manage wildlife,” said Caroline Murphy, TWS’ Government Relations Manager. “We look forward to working with congressional offices to discuss funding needs for these programs throughout the appropriations process.”

The Wildlife Society asked for $100 million—or an increase of $27 million—for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (STWG) in FY 2024. In the absence of passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, STWG is the only program that directly supports the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans.

As a member of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), TWS also called attention to the National Wildlife Refuge System, a key player in the conservation of native species.

“TWS urges Congress to consider the significant shortcomings of the operations and maintenance accounts of the National Wildlife Refuge System in FY 2024, and provide at least $712 million in funding to begin making inroads on adequate visitor services, habitat management activities, and long term conservation planning,” TWS wrote in its testimony.

The Wildlife Society’s testimony also urged Congress to increase funding for several additional USFWS programs, including $9.9 million for Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) grants, $79.7 million for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and $25 million for the Migratory Bird Joint Ventures.

Also a member of the USGS Coalition, TWS’ testimony supported funding for the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which respond to regional wildlife, ecosystems and community-based stakeholder needs in the face of a changing climate. The Wildlife Society requested $32 million for Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Units (CRUs), which foster federal, state, NGO and academic partnerships to provide actionable science that is tailored to the needs of natural resource managers.

Appropriations subcommittees in both the House and Senate are in the process of developing the appropriations bills for FY 2024, with congressional action anticipated later this year.