This morning, the House Natural Resources Committee passed a bill reauthorizing the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act at significantly higher funding levels than previous years. The committee passed an amendment to HR 2213 that increases the funding level for the program from $6.5 million to $15 million by 2015. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed a bill in June increasing the funding level to $20 million by 2015. With both bills through committee, Audubon will be working with the bill sponsors and committee staff to look for vehicles to try to move the legislation on the House and Senate floor in the coming weeks.

Each year, millions of birds travel back and forth the thousands of miles from Latin America and the Caribbean to their breeding grounds as far north as the Arctic. Months later, the birds make the long trip back. These neotropical migrants face increasing threats—habitat loss, invasive species, disease, and a changing climate. The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act has provided millions of dollars for vital conservation efforts, including monitoring efforts, habitat restoration, education, and other projects in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.