Doubling Down on Conservation Across the Americas

Also in this issue: The future of the Endangered Species Act | Elevating conservation on public lands | Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our [web version](. [National Audubon Society]( AUDUBON ADVISORY January 2024 [Photo of people standing in front of a mountain-scape in San Antonio del Chamí, Colombia.]( [Why Bird Advocates Want to Double Down on Conservation Across the Americas]( Since 2002, the U.S. Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA)—the only federal grant program dedicated to conserving birds across the Americas—has pumped millions of dollars into habitat protection, research, and education in 43 countries. Now, supporters are urging lawmakers to pass legislation to increase funding and make it accessible to more communities. [Read more]( Indigenous students from San Antonio del Chamí, Colombia participate in lessons funded by the NMBCA. [Photo of a Common Nighthawk in flight.]( [A Proposed Reset for Public Lands Could Be a Big Boost to Conservation]( In a draft rule likely to be finalized this year, the Bureau of Land Management plans to put conservation officially on equal footing with other land uses. More than 300 bird species depend on these public lands and waters and would benefit from more balanced management. [Read more]( Common Nighthawk. [An illustration of people and wildlife sharing the same environments.]( [A Force of Conservation, the Endangered Species Act Faces a Fraught Future]( In the past half century, the ESA has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the species listed under its protection. Only with innovation and advocacy can it continue to do so for decades to come. [Read more]( Illustration: Alexander Vidal [Photo of a Black-throated Green Warbler on Eastern Hemlock.]( [New Bill Would Promote Native Plants in Federal Projects]( Bipartisan legislation introduced last month would require federal projects to prioritize the use of native plants as part of any landscape planning. Native plants help birds find the food and habitat they need in a changing climate. [Read more]( Black-throated Green Warbler on Eastern Hemlock. News from the Flyways - [Alaska: Audubon and Partners Develop Birding Trail in Southeast to Bolster Economy]( - [California: Preliminary Results of Intermountain West Shorebird Survey at the Salton Sea]( - [Florida: College Students and Local Governments Develop Greenhouse Gas Baselines]( - [Indiana: 300,000+ Acres of State Wetlands at Risk of Destruction]( - [Mississippi: A Pricey and Environmentally Destructive Federal Project Could Worsen Racial Inequities]( (published by Project By Government Oversight) - [New York: Governor Signs "Birds And Bees Protection Act" to Limit Harmful Pesticides]( (published by Governor Hochul’s Press Office) - [North Carolina: Looking Back at a Decade of Building Bird-friendly Communities]( - [South Carolina: Post 45 Harbor Deepening [GIS Storymap]]( - [Washington: Advocacy Days Elevate the Needs of Birds and People]( - [Western Water: Momentum Gaining on Water Work to Benefit Birds and People in the West]( (en [español]( Impact Updates [Photo of a Whooping Crane in flight. ]( [Climate Corner]( Last month, legislation was introduced that would help streamline approval processes for the expansion of clean energy and transmission. The Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act would strike a balance between quickly deploying clean energy and transmission and protecting public lands, wildlife, and communities. Increasing capacity for clean energy sources like wind and solar, as well as an upgraded transmission infrastructure to deliver that energy, is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping protect wildlife and communities from climate impacts. [Read our full statement]( Whooping Crane. [Photo of a Golden Eagle, close-up.]( [Your Actions at Work]( Participating in the public comment process is one of the ways that you can meaningfully support sound policy that will benefit birds and the places they need (and oppose harmful actions). As of today, more than 17,600 people have sent public comments directly to the Bureau of Land Management in support of their new management plan that prioritizes conservation on 3.6 acres of public lands in Wyoming. The deadline to submit comments is next Wednesday, January 17. [Please send your comment today.]( Golden Eagle. Photos from top: Andrés Estefan; Ash Ponders; Scott Keys/Audubon Photography Awards; Garry Turnquist/Audubon Photography Awards (left); Elizabeth Jaffin/Audubon Photography Awards (right) [Join the Audubon Action Network]( Join our Action Network to receive periodic action alerts that connect you with decision makers when your voice matters the most. CONNECT WITH US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [DONATE]( [ADVOCATE]( [GET TEXT UPDATES]( National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 USA [(844) 428-3826](#) | [audubon.org]( © 2024 National Audubon Society, Inc. [Update your email address or unsubscribe](