Tuesday, July 28, 2009

House Passes Bill to Protect Migratory Birds

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy, 202-234-7181, ext. 216, sholmer@abcbirds.org, www.abcbirds.org



House Passes Bill to Protect Migratory Birds

Joint Ventures Play Important Role in Restoring Chesapeake Bay

(Washington, D.C., July 14, 2009) Earlier today the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 2188, the Joint Ventures for Bird Habitat Conservation Act of 2009, which was introduced by Rep. Frank Kratovil, the freshman Democrat representing the 1st district of Maryland. The bill would formally authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Joint Ventures Program, which has been effectively carrying out bird conservation planning and projects since 1987.

“American Bird Conservancy appreciates the effective leadership of Rep. Kratovil to get this bill passed. Joint Ventures are a proven success and have made a huge difference for bird conservation,” said Darin Schroeder, American Bird Conservancy’s Vice President for Conservation Advocacy. “By applying science and bringing people together, Joint Ventures across the U.S. have created a model for solving wildlife management problems and restoring habitats critical to conserving declining species.”

Joint ventures are regional partnerships involving federal, state, and local government agencies, corporations, tribes, individuals, and conservation organizations which advance conservation efforts and help identify local land use priorities. There are currently 21 JVs in the United States that provide coordination for conservation planning, and implementing projects to benefit birds and other species. JVs develop science-based goals and strategies, and a non-regulatory approach for achieving conservation.

Maryland is primarily part of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV) which is focused on the conservation of habitat for native birds in the Atlantic Flyway of the United States from Maine south to Puerto Rico. The ACJV partnership has protected 158,000 acres in Maryland, and restored another 98,000 acres. The ACJV helps direct funding for the restoration of Chesapeake Bay such as land acquisition and supports projects to plant aquatic vegetation in the Bay benefitting birds and other wildlife.

The western end of Maryland is part of the recently-created Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture which is working to conserve species such as the Kentucky, Worm-eating, Prairie, and Golden-winged Warblers, Wood Thrush, American Woodcock, and American Black Duck. Nationally, Joint Ventures have directed $4.5 billion in conservation spending from Federal grants and programs, state conservation dollars, and private donations and have protected, restored, or enhanced more than 13 million acres of important habitat for migratory bird species.

#30#

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) conserves native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, while building capacity in the conservation movement. ABC is the voice for birds, ensuring that they are adequately protected; that sufficient funding is available for bird conservation; and that land is protected and properly managed to maintain viable habitat. ABC is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator.


















Steve Holmer

Director of Public Relations

American Bird Conservancy

202/234-7181 ext. 216 or

202/744-6459 (cell)

sholmer@abcbirds.org

www.abcbirds.org



American Bird Conservancy operates the Bird News Network, which distributes the latest information about birds and bird conservation through videos, press releases, and news stories.
Video releases are available at Bird News Network Videos or view the latest news stories and subscribe to the network's RSS feed at http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/latestnews.html