Sen. Hickenlooper now a co-sponsor of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act bill

We thank Senator Hickenlooper for becoming a co-sponsor of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act bill.

 

Here is the press release:

 

Senator Hickenlooper Supports Bipartisan Bill To Help At-Risk Wildlife Nationwide

CONTACT   Suzanne O’Neill, Colorado Wildlife Federation, , 303-919-3949  Mary Jo Brooks, National Wildlife Federation, , 303-549-8351

 

DENVER (date)  — Senator John Hickenlooper has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that will dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help at-risk wildlife species nationwide.

“We’re facing a looming wildlife crisis, and this is the most important piece of wildlife legislation  in the past fifty years,” said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “We thank Senator Hickenlooper for co-sponsoring this bold, bipartisan effort to help at-risk wildlife with collaborative, voluntary measures across every state, territory and Tribal nation.”

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would bring approximately $26 million annually to Colorado for the implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plan, which outlines priorities for protecting threatened species and restoring critical habitat throughout the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages the state’s roughly 960 wildlife species and will continue to undertake robust actions including monitoring, management and research related to species of greatest conservation need and serve as an advocate for native fish and wildlife.

“As a means to fundamentally advance wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife proudly supports the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which will dedicate valuable and significant funding for the implementation of our State Wildlife Action Plan,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow. “If passed, the bill represents an opportunity to secure long-term non-game wildlife conservation funding at a magnitude that has never before been possible.”

The agency’s conservation teams work diligently to nurture healthy landscapes for the wildlife that are iconic to the state; ensuring Coloradans for generations to come will be able to marvel at the diversity of the state’s ecosystems.

“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 Hickenlooper for leading the way on the historic Recovering America’s Wildlife Act that will have an immediate impact – saving species and creating jobs in Colorado and all across the country.”

Federally recognized tribal nations, including those in Colorado, would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts on tribal lands.

Representatives Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse are among the more than 130 bipartisan supporters of the House version of the legislation.

“Wildlife conservation is an issue that unites all Americans. We hope the rest of the Colorado delegation will join Senator Hickenlooper in co-sponsoring this commonsense bill,” said O’Neill.

###