Grants and Matching Contributions Will Benefit Hundreds of Bird Species Across Fifteen Countries.
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Every summer, backyards across America fill with the color and sound of millions of migratory birds. Many of these birds depend on wintering grounds across the Americas to survive. These long-distance travelers will benefit from $20 million in federal and matching funds from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA).
The NMBCA provides critical funding each year for bird conservation and research throughout the Western Hemisphere and is the only source of federal funding solely dedicated to the conservation of our shared migratory bird heritage. This year, more than $3.8 million in federal funds will be matched by more than $16.2 million in partner contributions going to 24 collaborative conservation projects in 15 countries across the Americas.
“The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grants will fund projects to conserve migratory bird habitat, engage local communities in bird habitat protection and strengthen international relations while raising awareness of the importance of bird conservation,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt.
There are 386 species of neotropical migratory birds that migrate to and from the United States each year, including songbirds, shorebirds and birds of prey. In addition to their role as pollinators, seed dispersers, and pest controllers, they also provide early warnings of environmental contamination.
“Our migratory birds are international treasures,” said Service Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson. “These projects will improve habitats for neotropical migrants, whether they are wintering in Panama or breeding in Pennsylvania.”
The NMBCA program is specifically designed to send at least 75% of its funding to projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, where habitat loss and
