Dingell Passes Bill through House to Support Conservation of Birds, Bird Habitats

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) passed the bipartisan Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act to establish a federal grant program to support conservation of birds and habitats in urban areas. The bill passed the House of Representatives and now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration. “Birds play an important role in our ecosystems and our everyday lives, but unfortunately, we have lost nearly 3 billion birds in the last 50 years, and we need to take serious action to address this crisis,” Congresswoman Dingell said. “The Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act will provide federal funding to restore bird habitats and educate communities about the small steps we can all take to protect bird populations for generations to come.” In North America, one in four breeding birds has been lost since 1970. The widespread loss and degradation of habitat is the biggest driver of bird population decline. Restoring bird habitat in urban areas can make a significant difference in conserving bird populations. The Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act would make $200,000 available annually through a competitive grant program to eligible entities, including Tribal, State, or municipal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, community groups, and academic institutions, to promote urban bird conservation. Specifically, the grant program aims to: protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and the restoration of native plant species; reduce urban hazards to birds; and educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas. educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas. protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and the restoration of native plant species; reduce urban hazards to birds; and educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas. protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and the restoration of native plant species; reduce urban hazards to birds; and educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas. protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and the restoration of native plant species; reduce urban hazards to birds; and educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas.