COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 24, 2021) — Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is co-sponsoring the most significant wildlife conservation bill in nearly half a century, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. The bipartisan bill will devote $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts – including $20.6 million to Ohio – to help prevent extinctions and help at-risk wildlife species.
“This is the most important piece of wildlife conservation legislation in the past fifty years,” said Tom Butch, President of the Ohio Conservation Federation. “We thank Senator Portman for co-sponsoring this fiscally responsible effort to help at-risk wildlife with collaborative, voluntary measures across every state, territory and Tribal nation. Combined with Sen. Portman’s support for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and his role in passing the Great American Outdoors Act, he is establishing a conservation legacy to be proud of.”
“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 Portman for leading the way on the historic Recovering America’s Wildlife Act that will have an immediate impact – saving species and creating jobs in Ohio and all across the country.”
Nationwide, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act dedicates $1.4 billion annually to locally led wildlife restoration efforts. 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.
“Wildlife conservation is an issue that unites all Ohioans. We hope that the rest of the Ohio delegation will join Senator Portman in cosponsoring this bipartisan bill,” said Butch.
The bill would benefit 405 species of concern in Ohio, such as the Lake sturgeon, Monarch butterfly, and Northern bobwhite quail.
More than 1,500 businesses and organizations have signed on in support of the legislation, including Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Bass Pro Shops, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League, National Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ohio Conservation Federation, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, and the Ruffed Grouse Society.
