I’m writing to bring you up to date on an important piece of legislation, and our work to make it even better—The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act or RAWA. Many of you may be familiar with RAWA, but it would provide up to $1.3 billion annually to support state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies and their efforts to recover species of greatest conservation concern, including helping to recover species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

This legislation enjoys very broad support from conservation organizations, but AZA and a small contingent has withheld its support in hopes that the bill could be improved by including funding for federal endangered species recovery.

So, back in December 2021, I was invited to present testimony, regarding RAWA, before a hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. I did so on behalf of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Wildlife Refuge Association. In our testimony, we asked the Committee to consider adding significant financial support for the mandatory recovery responsibilities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including support for the kind of recovery work that AZA members do every day: things like California condor, sea turtle and manatee rescue and recovery, Hawaiian birds, black-footed ferrets, polar bear, red and Mexican wolves, and so much more!

Today, I’m very pleased to report that the Committee Chairman, Senator Tom Carper (DE) offered an amendment to the RAWA legislation that the Committee adopted. Senator Carper’s amendment establishes an “Endangered Species Recovery and Habitat Conservation Legacy Fund” providing $750 million to support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery efforts. This is testament to Senator Carper’s dedication and leadership, but also your collective reputation as leading conservation organizations. AZA’s voice has influence because your work and your reputation are impactful.

It was our testimony, in cooperation with Defenders of Wildlife and the National Wildlife Refuge Association, that inspired and supported Chairman Carper’s leadership. We should also acknowledge and thank the bill’s sponsors, Senator Martin Heinrich (NM) and Senator Roy Blunt (MO) for working with Senator Carper.

Thanks for what you do every day. Sometimes it seems as if events are constantly conspiring to frustrate species recovery. And then, leaders like Senator Carper help give us hope.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “We must do the things we think we cannot do.”

Senator Carper just did. Your support helped him.

Congratulations!

---

Back to All Stories