Bill > HR3276

This bill establishes the Urban Bird Treaty Program, a voluntary conservation initiative aimed at protecting and enhancing bird populations and habitats in urban areas. The bill highlights the critical decline of bird populations (50% loss in 50 years) and the significant economic and ecological importance of birds, noting that nearly 96 million Americans engage in birdwatching annually. The program, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will work with various entities including government agencies, nonprofits, community groups, and academic institutions to protect urban bird habitats, reduce bird hazards, engage communities in scientific monitoring, and educate the public about bird conservation. A key component is a competitive grant program managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will provide funding for research, planning, capacity building, and related activities focused on urban bird conservation. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 in appropriations annually through 2032 and emphasizes the broader benefits of bird habitat conservation, such as maintaining healthier landscapes, supporting local economies, and potentially mitigating the spread of wildlife-borne diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3276/all-info