ConservAmerica commends the members of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for advancing bipartisan legislation to strengthen local approaches to protecting at-risk fish and wildlife populations.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) would provide additional federal funding under the Wildlife Restoration Act to states, territories and tribal governments to protect at-risk fish and wildlife populations and habitat. The legislation was advanced Thursday out of committee on a 15-5 vote. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

“Strengthening protections for at-risk species through state-based management is among our highest priorities,” said ConservAmerica Vice President Todd Johnston. “We applaud the committee for advancing this important legislation on a bipartisan basis. RAWA will provide a stable source of funding for states, territories and tribes to protect wildlife before they must be listed on the Endangered Species Act.”

ConservAmerica sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at the end of last year supporting RAWA.