Funding for Conservation Is Money Well Spent

When we invest in conservation, we see wildlife population increases and endangered species recovery. Additional funding will allow states to replicate conservation successes across thousands of other species of greatest conservation need.

  • When we invest in conservation, we see wildlife population increases and endangered species recovery. Additional funding will allow states to replicate conservation successes across thousands of other species of greatest conservation need.
    Click through the slideshow for examples of state conservation successes made possible by federal investment. Additional details about each region are below.
  • In western states, there has been 5.6 million acres of sage-grouse habitat conserved on private land. Steep population declines—more than 30% loss since 1985, +90% loss in past 150 years—put Greater Sage-Grouse on the brink of ESA listing • The Sage Grouse Initiative (a USDA Natural Resources Working Lands for Wildlife program) and the Intermountain West Joint Venture led the restoration of millions of acres of sage-grouse habitat across 11 Western states, thanks to collaborations between federal and state agencies and more than 1,100 private ranchers • ESA listing avoided in 2015, saving local economies from California to the Dakotas up to $5 billion in annual costs, according to Western Energy Alliance Additional support would address the conservation needs of hundreds of other sage-brush wildlife species. Photo by Gerrit Vyn.
    Western states have conserved 5.6 million acres of sage-grouse habitat on private land. Photo by Gerrit Vyn.
  • In Colorado and Nebraska, 1,000+ Mountain Plover nests have been saved. Plovers nest in farm fields, where eggs are at risk of being plowed under, or on ranching lands • Mountain Plover declared a priority bird species for the Playa Lakes Joint Venture; several hundred landowners join program to find and flag nests, allowing farmers and ranchers to work their land without disrupting breeding plovers • ESA listing avoided; landowners become birding tour– leaders for Mountain Plover Festival in Karval, Colo. that has generated $75,000 for local economy Additional support would scale up this pilot program throughout the Mountain Plover’s range. Photo by Tom Johnson/Macaulay Library.
    In Colorado and Nebraska, 1,000+ Mountain Plover nests have been saved. Photo by Tom Johnson/Macaulay Library.
  • In Texas, Turkeys are worth $42 million to the Lone Star State economy. America’s classic game bird was nearly extinct in North Amer¬ica 100 years ago • Federal and nonprofit partners worked with state agencies on stocking and reintroduction programs; today Texas has the largest turkey population in the U.S. (600,000+ turkeys) • Turkeys generate $42 million in economic activity every year in Texas, and $1.8 billion nationwide Additional support would enable Texas and three related Joint Ventures to duplicate this success for Northern Bobwhite quail, another classic game bird trending toward extinction. Photo by Brendan Klick/Macaulay Library.
    In Texas, Turkeys are worth $42 million to the Lone Star State economy. Photo by Brendan Klick/Macaulay Library.
  • In the Great Lakes,endangered Kirtland’s Warbler population soars by 1,100% One of first birds to be listed by ESA in 1973; down to last 150 breeding pairs State and federal agencies partner to implement recovery program that restores jack-pine habitat and controls nest parasitism Population grows to 2,500+ breeding pairs in Michigan, with Kirtland’s Warblers now expanding into Wisconsin and Ontario; successfully meets delisting criteria Additional support would continue state-led conservation work for Kirtland’s Warblers after delisting, so they don’t decline again. Photo by Ian Davies/Macaulay Library.
    In the Great Lakes,endangered Kirtland’s Warbler population soars by 1,100% Photo by Ian Davies/Macaulay Library.
  • In Appalachia, 200 landowners become Cerulean Warbler champions With populations down more than 70%, this warbler is fast headed toward ESA consideration The Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture launched a sustainable forest management program to improve warbler habitat and forest health 200+ private landowners enrolled in the program to restore warbler habitat on thousands of acres of forestlands Additional support would enable more private landowners to enroll and stop warbler declines in Appalachia. Photo by Greg Lavaty via Birdshare
    In Appalachia, 200 landowners become Cerulean Warbler champions. Photo by Greg Lavaty via Birdshare.
  • Eastern states see a a total turnaround—American Oystercatchers up 23%: 10 years ago, oystercatcher populations were plummeting along East Coast; ESA listing would have impacted coastline communities, including some of America’s favorite beaches • Instead, the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture coordinated a conservation strategy with 16 states that reversed oystercatcher declines; population now up +20% • Benefits beyond birds include improved fish nursery habitat and cleaner public beaches Additional support would build on the oystercatcher success, funding the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative to avert ESA listings for 15 other declining shorebirds. Photo by Alix d'Entremont/Macaulay LIbrary.
    Eastern states see a a total turnaround—American Oystercatcher populations are up 23%. Photo by Alix d’Entremont/Macaulay LIbrary.
  • In Hawaii, the endangered Palila population stabilized .Almost two-thirds of native Hawaiian forest bird species, including the Palila, are listed under the Endangered Species Act A coalition of federal, state, and private partners have restored 6,500 acres of forest to protect crucial Palila habitat Invasive species control and habitat management are keeping Palila and other Hawaiian forest bird species alive for now Additional support would sustain programs essential to preventing extinctions on Hawaii. Palila by Brad Argue/ Macaulay Library
    In Hawaii, the endangered Palila population stabilized. Palila by Brad Argue/Macaulay Library/.
  • In Alaska, the Hunting tradition is revived for Emperor Geese Unique goose species found only in Alaska and Russian Far East, but 50% population decline halted hunting in 1980s • Populations rebound after federal and state agencies partner with native groups on Emperor Goose conservation program • Population more than doubled by 2018; regulated sport and tribal traditional hunting reinstated Additional support for state and tribal agencies would enable continued recovery for Emperor Geese. Photo of Andres Spencer/Macaulay Library.
    In Alaska, the hunting tradition is revived for Emperor Geese. Photo by Andrew Spencer/Macaulay Library.

Western States: Sage-Grouse

Western states have conserved more than 5.6 million acres of sage-grouse habitat on private land.

  • Steep population declines put Greater Sage-Grouse on the brink of ESA listing.
  • The Sage Grouse Initiative (a USDA Natural Resources Working Lands for Wildlife program) and the Intermountain West Joint Venture led the restoration of millions of acres of sage-grouse habitat across 11 western states, thanks to collaborations between federal and state agencies and more than 1,100 private ranchers.
  • These actions resulted in the avoidance of ESA listing in 2015, saving local economies from California to the Dakotas up to $5 billion in annual costs, according to Western Energy Alliance.
  • Additional support would address the conservation needs of hundreds of other sagebrush wildlife species.

Sweeping Conservation Reforms Have Yielded Great Successes

Raptors

Our national bird, an icon of wildlife recovery: In 1970 there were just a few hundred Bald Eagle pairs left in North America—a 99% loss. Conservation programs and species protections sparked a remarkable recovery. The Bald Eagle was delisted as an Endangered Species in 2007, and today 50,000+ eagle pairs live in the U.S.A. Map shows current bald eagle abundance by season based on ebird data. photo by Tom Mast/Macaulay Library.
Map shows current Bald Eagle abundance by season based on eBird data. Photo by Tom Mast/Macaulay Library.

Hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey buck the general trend of declining birds thanks to bans on harmful pollutants such as DDT, as well as strong federal and state protections from shooting. Overall, raptor populations have grown by 200% since 1970. This group indicates what a big difference states can make in species protection. Probably the most outstanding example is the Bald Eagle.

Our national bird is an icon of wildlife recovery. In 1970 only a few hundred Bald Eagle pairs remained in the lower 48 states. Federal and state protections sparked a remarkable recovery. The Bald Eagle was delisted as an endangered species in 2007, and today 30,000+ eagle pairs live in the U.S.A.

Waterfowl

Waterfowl have seen a 56% increase in populations in 1970, and represent one of America’s best wildlife success stories. This group serves as a model for how habitat protection and restoration can reverse bird declines. Its recovery owes thanks to federal investments such as the Duck Stamp and North American Wetlands Conservation Act that powered waterfowl conservation efforts. Map shows current Wood Duck abundance by season based on ebird data. Photo Linda Rudolph.
Map shows current Wood Duck abundance by season based on eBird data. Photo by Linda Rudolph.

Waterfowl have seen a 56% increase in populations since 1970, and represent one of America’s best wildlife success stories. This group serves as a model for how habitat protection and restoration can reverse bird declines. Its recovery owes thanks to federal investments such as the Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which powered waterfowl conservation efforts.

Colorado & Nebraska: Mountain Plover

In Colorado and Nebraska, 1,000+ Mountain Plover nests have been saved.

  • Mountain Plovers nest in farm fields, where eggs are at risk of being plowed under, or on ranching lands.
  • Mountain Plover was declared a priority bird species for the Playa Lakes Joint Venture; several hundred landowners joined a program to find and flag nests, allowing farmers and ranchers to work their land without disrupting breeding plovers.
  • ESA listing was avoided. Some landowners became birding-tour leaders for the Mountain Plover Festival in Karval, Colorado, which has generated $75,000 for the local economy.
  • Additional support would scale up this pilot program throughout the Mountain Plover’s range.

Texas: Wild Turkey

In Texas, Wild Turkeys are worth $42 million to the Lone Star State economy.

  • America’s classic game bird was nearly extinct in North America 100 years ago.
  • Federal and nonprofit partners worked with state agencies on stocking and reintroduction programs. Today Texas has the largest turkey population in the U.S. (600,000+ turkeys).
  • Turkeys generate $42 million in economic activity every year in Texas, and $1.8 billion nationwide.
  • Additional support would enable Texas and three related Joint Ventures to duplicate this success for Northern Bobwhite quail, another classic game bird trending toward extinction.

Great Lakes: Kirtland’s Warbler

In the Great Lakes, the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler population has soared by 1,100%.

  • Kirtland’s Warbler was one of the first birds to be listed by the Endangered Species Act in 1973; they were down to the last 150 breeding pairs.
  • State and federal agencies partnered to implement a recovery program that restored jack-pine habitat and controlled nest parasitism.
  • Population grew to 2,500+ breeding pairs in Michigan, with Kirtland’s Warblers now expanding into Wisconsin and Ontario, successfully meeting the delisting criteria.
  • Additional support would continue state-led conservation work for Kirtland’s Warblers after delisting, so they don’t decline again.

Appalachia: Cerulean Warbler

In Appalachia, 200 landowners became Cerulean Warbler champions.

  • With populations down more than 70%, this warbler is fast headed toward ESA consideration.
  • The Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture launched a sustainable forest management program to improve warbler habitat and forest health.
  • 200+ private landowners enrolled in the program to restore warbler habitat on thousands of acres of forestlands.
  • Additional support would enable more private landowners to enroll and stop warbler declines in Appalachia.

Eastern States: American Oystercatcher

Eastern states see a a total turnaround—American Oystercatcher populations are up 23%.

  • 10 years ago, oystercatcher populations were plummeting along the East Coast; ESA listing would have impacted coastline communities, including some of America’s favorite beaches.
  • Instead, the USFWS Northeast Division of Migratory Birds and 13 state agencies coordinated a conservation strategy with 16 states that reversed oystercatcher declines. The population is now up 20%.
  • Benefits beyond birds include improved fish nursery habitat and cleaner public beaches.
  • Additional support would build on the oystercatcher success, funding the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative to avert ESA listings for 15 other declining shorebirds.

Hawaii: Palila

In Hawaii, the endangered Palila population has stabilized.

  • Almost two-thirds of native Hawaiian forest bird species, including the Palila, are listed under the Endangered Species Act.
  • A coalition of federal, state, and private partners have restored 6,500 acres of forest to protect crucial Palila habitat.
  • Invasive species control and habitat management are keeping Palila and other Hawaiian forest bird species alive for now.
  • Additional support would sustain programs essential to preventing extinctions in Hawaii.

Alaska: Emperor Goose

In Alaska, conservation measures for Emperor Geese succeeded to the point that the hunting tradition was revived.

  • Unique goose species found only in Alaska and the Russian Far East, but after a 50% population decline, hunting was halted in the 1980s.
  • Populations rebounded after federal and state agencies partnered with native groups on an Emperor Goose conservation program.
  • The population more than doubled by 2018, allowing a regulated sport and tribal traditional hunting program to be reinstated.
  • Additional support for state and tribal agencies would enable continued recovery for Emperor Geese.