• • Lacey McCormick

• Mar 31, 2022

National Wildlife Federation Head to Speak at Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference

LONG BRANCH, N. J. — Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, will be speaking at the Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference on April 4 at 9:55 am ET about the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

In New Jersey, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will prevent the extinction of iconic New Jersey species — like the Red knot, Piping plover, Brook trout, Bog turtle, Bald Eagle, Atlantic Horseshoe Crab — by investing $15.5 million every year in the Garden State’s wildlife action plan. The bill currently has 32 cosponsors in the Senate, half of them Republicans.

What people are saying about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act:

“More than one-third of U.S. species currently face a heightened risk of extinction. The bold, bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help the species we love from the backcountry to our backyards. If it passes, it will be the biggest wildlife conservation legislation since the  Endangered Species Act.” — Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help fund wildlife conservation efforts in New Jersey and across the country. New Jersey has done an incredible job restoring and recovering habitats across the state, but we need additional federal resources to build on this progress. I’m glad that the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference will be held in Long Branch this year, and I’m grateful for the work that the participants do every day. I’ll continue to work with them to deliver the resources we need to protect our fish and wildlife.” — U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee

“I am proud to support legislation that will preserve our fish and wildlife in New Jersey and across the country. It is imperative that Congress passes this piece of legislation to ensure that our nation’s wildlife is protected and conserved for years to come.” – U.S. Congressman Jefferson Van Drew of NJ’s 2nd District

“There are more than 650 species in need right here in New Jersey. This bill will allow the state to take swift, collaborative measures to help these species now — before they reach the brink. Addressing America’s wildlife crisis with swift, locally-driven action is good for wildlife, good for taxpayers and good for business. People spend nearly $19 billion each year enjoying New Jersey’s outdoors, supporting more than 140,000 jobs.” —Eric Stiles, President and CEO of New Jersey Audubon

“Wildlife conservation has been a core legacy of DEP Fish and Wildlife throughout its 130-year history and we look forward to expanding on that commitment well into the future. The diversity of wildlife and their habitats across New Jersey are reminders that their protection and conservation are prime indicators of a healthy environment, as well as a promise to the next generation of nature’s beautiful creatures.”  —Shawn M. LaTourette, Commissioner of NJ DEP

“We are excited about the incredible opportunity RAWA presents for wildlife conservation in New Jersey and across the country. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife program is prepared to build on its great history of species management and recovery by utilizing this potential new funding source to strategically expand our work on species of greatest conservation need.”  —Dave Golden, Assistant Commissioner, NJ Fish and Wildlife

“There should never be a question if significant investments ought to be made to recover our endangered wildlife and plant species. Bills like the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act are essential to the preservation of our planet’s biodiversity.”  —Marcus Sibley, Northeast NY Metro Director of Conservation Partnerships for National Wildlife Federation

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act:

• Invests $1.4 billion in dedicated annual funding for proactive, collaborative efforts to recover at-risk wildlife species
• Focuses efforts on the 12,000 species of wildlife and plants in need of conservation assistance in the federally-approved Wildlife Action Plans
• Devotes $97.5 million each year to Tribal nations’ proactive wildlife conservation efforts on the tens of millions of acres of land the Tribes own or manage.
• Spends at least 15 percent of the resources on recovering threatened and endangered species
• Has 32 cosponsors in the Senate — half of them Republicans — and nearly 170 cosponsors in the House.

Read more about the bill here: www.nwf.org/recoverwidlife.