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Throughout the last year, ̽����ѡ continued its century-long tradition of advocating for and securing the space, clean air, and clean water that birds and people need to live and thrive. Read on to learn more about ̽����ѡ’s most important advocacy and policy work across the hemisphere in 2024!

̽����ѡ Alaska and ̽����ѡ’s Public Lands team secured important wins in 2024, including finalizing protections of 28 million acres of Alaska’s D-1 Public Lands and preventing the permitting to construct Ambler Road, a mining road that would cut through the Brooks Range. ̽����ѡ also provided input on how to update protections for the existing five Special Areas and create new Special Areas after the Biden administration strengthened protections in the Western Arctic this spring and lobbied to make sure that the U.S. Forest Service took the next step in advancing President Biden’s Earth Day 2022-issued Executive Order No. 14072 which committed the U.S. to identify, inventory, and protect mature and old-growth forests on federal lands, including the Tongass National Forest.

Secured 10,000 Acre-feet of Water to Benefit Great Salt Lake, Jordan River, Birds, Habitats and Communities

Great Salt Lake will benefit from 10,000 additional acre-feet of water thanks to a partnership between the ̽����ѡ and The Nature Conservancy—as co-managers of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust—in partnership with Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

“Delivering new water to Great Salt Lake is essential to preserve the health of the lake and Utah communities, as well as protect the habitats for millions of birds that rely on it,” said Marcelle Shoop, Executive Director of the Trust and ̽����ѡ’s Saline Lakes Director. “We are grateful for the vision and commitment of many partners, for this innovative late season water release to diversify benefits to the lake and its wetlands, as well as the Jordan River. We look forward to future opportunities to repeat these efforts in years to come.”

Led a Successful Campaign to Expand Protections for Undeveloped Coastal Lands that Buffer People and Birds from Storms

After years of ̽����ѡ advocacy to defend and expand the Coastal Barrier Resources System, Congress passed the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act this fall and sent it to the President’s desk. Expanding on a decades-old bipartisan law that removes federal spending in vulnerable beaches, islands, and wetlands, this bill adds over a quarter-million acres of undeveloped coast to the protected system in nine states that were hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy and other vulnerable states in the Southeast. It also authorizes a study to explore adding upland areas to the system so that wetlands can “migrate” inland as sea-levels rise. For more than 40 years, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act has successfully protected 3.5 million acres along the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has saved taxpayers $10 billion, protects lives and property, and preserves habitats for birds like American Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers. 

This year the Biden-Harris Administration designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the first-ever Tribally nominated marine sanctuary in the U.S. Located between the Monterey Bay and Channel Islands national marine sanctuaries in California, this marine protected area is the result of 40 years of leadership from the Northern Chumash Tribal Council to protect an area that is culturally, historically and ecologically important. The sanctuary will protect more than 4,500 square-miles of ocean off California’s Central Coast—used by 60 percent of the California Brown Pelican population and up to 20,000 shorebirds every winter. ̽����ѡ California, Morro Coast ̽����ѡ Society, and ̽����ѡ have been advocating for this designation for many years, as well as over 18,000 of our members who wrote letters of support last year.

Advocated for a Plan to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse 

Before public comment closed June 13, nearly 48,000 ̽����ѡ supporters submitted comments to the Bureau of Land Management on , covering 67 million acres of BLM-managed grouse habitat. The ̽����ѡ joined a  submitted by 19 conservation organizations calling on the BLM to reverse the bird’s steep decline and to choose durable, science-based approaches from among the alternatives proposed.   

Joined America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge

This year, ̽����ѡ joined the White House, states, Tribes, municipalities, and other NGOs to support freshwater restoration in communities across the country. Birds and people need clean water and ̽����ѡ is committed to the  of reconnecting 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams. 

Birds are telling us we need to do more to protect habitat throughout the hemisphere. ̽����ѡ’s Flight Plan sets conservation milestones to improve and expand habitat while tackling the impacts and causes of climate change. The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge goals align with ̽����ѡ’s science-based Flight Plan milestones.  

Advocated to Finalize Public Lands Rule that Prioritizes Restoration and Stewardship

̽����ѡ mobilized more than 14,000 members to submit comments in support of a new management rule that responsibly balances conservation with mining and oil and gas extraction on federal public lands. The rule prioritizes the restoration and stewardship of intact landscapes, sensitive wildlife habitat, cultural lands protection, and access to nature. 

An overwhelming  supported the new rule. In addition to mobilizing its members, the ̽����ѡ submitted its own , in addition to a  signed by 194 independent ̽����ѡ chapters in 41 states.

Protected Birds by Advancing Clean Energy Development

̽����ѡ is engaging on the clean energy transition to protect North American bird species from climate change and ensure that infrastructure is planned with birds and people in mind. Over the past year, staff worked on various clean energy efforts across the U.S., from warbler research in Louisiana to transmission line placement in Minnesota, and advocated for bird-safe practices on 36 gigawatts of wind and solar and nearly 45 gigawatts of transmission capacity.

New Mexico’s 2024 legislative session ended with a historic $300 million appropriation for the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund. This will support land and water conservation, agriculture, and outdoor recreation projects. 

Supported Long-Overdue Updated Oil and Gas Rule 

Nearly 20,000 ̽����ѡ members submitted comments in favor of a change to how the BLM issues oil and gas leases on federal land. The new rule, finalized in April,  the cost of doing business on public lands and balances the extraction of natural resources with the conservation of wildlife habitat and the preservation of landscapes sacred to Indigenous peoples.   

̽����ѡ played a key role in advocating for the successful passage of South Carolina’s Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, which allows for the use of voluntary conservation easements to protect agricultural lands—helping protect SC farmers and farms, and the vital habitat they provide for vulnerable grassland bird species like the Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Meadowlark.

Reduced Bird Collisions in Towns Across the U.S.

̽����ѡ’s regional offices and local chapters are working to implement simple solutions to prevent collisions by making buildings and night skies safer for birds year-round. This includes advocating for legislation like the Bird-Safe Buildings Act and working with property owners, building managers, and local governments to turn off excess lighting during spring and fall migration as part of the Lights Out program and install collision-preventing solutions on reflective glass surfaces. ̽����ѡ’s efforts continue to grow, with more than 50 cities and regions involved in Lights Out Programs, encompassing many of the most dangerous metropolitan areas for migratory birds.

With over 59 percent of the vote, California voters passed Proposition 4, the largest public investment dedicated to climate resilience in the state’s history! Proposition 4—also known as the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, will create urgent investments in proven solutions for habitat protection, water conservation, coastal resilience, and restoration. ̽����ѡ California was an early part of the coalition of conservation and environmental organizations that advocated for this measure to be placed on the ballot, and activated their network across the state to rally voters.

This year, Greensboro and Winston-Salem passed policies that promote the use of native plants while also banning invasives. The policies come after years of work by T. Gilbert Pearson ̽����ѡ and Forsyth ̽����ѡ to promote native plants and educate decision makers and the public on the benefits they provide for birds and pollinators. Winston-Salem also passed a Light Out proclamation, thanks to advocacy from Forsyth ̽����ѡ, adding to the growing list of North Carolina cities that are going darker to help protect migrating birds.

̽����ѡ California and its supporters were key to the passage of two bills that protect California wetlands and the Salton Sea.

The Legislature passed AB 2875 to protect California’s wetlands following the rollback of federal protections under a Supreme Court decision last year. The court’s ruling in Sackett vs. EPA redefined the federal scope of wetlands, removing protections for many streams that do not flow year-round. This left ephemeral streams, which flow only seasonally, vulnerable to development and pollution. Co-sponsored by ̽����ѡ California, AB 2875 establishes a policy of “no net loss” of wetlands in the state and commits California to long-term gains in both the quantity and quality of wetlands.

SB 583 establishes the Salton Sea Conservancy (California's first new conservancy in nearly two decades). This marks a significant milestone in the long-term efforts to restore and manage the Salton Sea. Ensuring a sustainable future for the sea requires active participation from communities throughout the region, who must have a voice in planning projects that impact them. The Conservancy will coordinate initiatives to protect public health while providing critical habitat for shorebirds and shallow-feeding ducks, safeguarding a vital ecosystem for millions of birds. ̽����ѡ worked to build support for the bill among local communities and leaders at the Salton Sea, assisted with the bill’s language, and helped secure votes in the state legislature.

In August, ̽����ѡ staff, members, and outdoor enthusiasts celebrated the defeat of a suite of proposals that would have built golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts, and more in nine of Florida’s busiest state parks.

Secured Funding for Everglades Restoration 

In October, the Army Corps of Engineers announced three new contract awards to build critical restoration projects that continue the decades-long work to restore America's Everglades. ̽����ѡ has worked to protect and restore the Everglades for more than 100 years and is a proud partner and supporter of this work.

These three contract awards advance critical components of Everglades restoration and are partially funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, which invested a historic $1.1 billion in the Everglades. These contract awards are a testament to the ongoing funding needs for Everglades restoration; as money is granted to this program, the Corps is demonstrating its ability to spend it on critical projects.

̽����ѡ advocates for the rapid and responsible build out of the renewable energy and transmission needed to reach Washington state’s 100 percent clean electricity mandate. We are building momentum with our coalition partners to establish an innovative Build-Ready program that identifies and pre-screens potential clean energy sites for environmental and cultural resource values. At the same time, we’re engaging in strategic project level engagement to improve protections for birds in projects like the proposed Horse Heaven Wind project. This development will set an important precedent for future bird and wildlife protection and our persistent advocacy efforts and mobilization of over 880 emails are helping make the project more compatible with the needs of birds and other wildlife. 

Marshalled Thousands of Comments to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse

̽����ѡ Rockies developed robust comments on the Bureau of Land Management’s management of 67 million acres of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat that 19 conservation and sporting organizations submitted. Those efforts also recruited 47,000 ̽����ѡ supporters to submit comments.

Awarded a Prestigious WaterSMART Grant to Restore the Lower Gila River 

̽����ѡ Southwest—in partnership with the Lower Gila River Collaborative—was awarded a $298,014 grant through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program to improve ecosystem health and water management. This funding is part of the most recent $8.9 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to protect watershed health and build more resilient water supplies in the western United States.

Advanced Key Coastal and Marine Bills in Congress

House members reintroduced the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act and the Forage Fish Conservation Act, two bills that improve the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, our nation’s primary federal fisheries law. Both bills would add new provisions to the law, like accounting for the needs of seabirds and other predators when deciding how many forage fish can be caught. The Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act also factors climate change into the fisheries management process, prevents seabirds and other wildlife from becoming hooked or entangled by fishing gear, and provides better protections for coastal habitats like seagrass beds that serve as nurseries and feeding grounds for both birds and fish. Finally, the Coastal Habitat Conservation Act, sponsored by Rep. Jared Huffman (CA) and passed out of the House in September, would improve coastal community protection from extreme weather impacts by funding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coastal Program.

Hosted the 8^th Annual Western Rivers Day in Arizona to Advocate for a Secure Water Future

On February 1, 2024, ̽����ѡ Southwest hosted its 8th annual Western Rivers Day at the Arizona Capitol to connect constituents with lawmakers and elevate the importance of the rivers, lakes, and streams that birds and people rely on.

Organized Chesapeake Chapters to Speak Up in Defense of Osprey

Researchers in Virginia are sounding the alarm on a dramatic decline in Osprey reproductive success. Calling last year’s season “a catastrophic failure,” they found only 17 out of 167 nests having live chicks during one research survey. Without enough fish to eat, Osprey chicks are starving in their nests, and overall reproductive rates have dropped even lower than at the height of the DDT era. , a small fish that is caught in the billions of pounds and boiled down to make fertilizers, supplements, and more. This year ̽����ѡ members spoke out on this issue, urging the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to enact a buffer zone within the Chesapeake Bay to reduce the damage this industrial fishing operation has on coastlines when done too close to the shore. ̽����ѡ staff will continue to advocate for the dietary needs of Ospreys and other seabirds to be added to ecological reference points within the framework that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission uses to determine menhaden catch limits.

Helped Get a Colorado Wetland Law Passed and Provided Trainings

̽����ѡ Rockies provided extensive guidance and support for a that addressed the gap in wetland and stream protection created by Sackett vs EPA, making Colorado the first state in the nation to do so. ̽����ѡ supporters submitted 2,532 comments to their lawmakers in support of the bill.

Following the bill’s passage, our stream restoration reached 800 water partners across Colorado. We helped them navigate a Colorado law passed in 2023 that set a way forward for stream restoration without water rights administration. We also compiled this information in a training manual.

Helped Facilitate an Historic Agreement to Protect a Vitally Important Watershed in Manitoba

In January, the Seal River Watershed Alliance  with the Government of Canada and the Manitoba government that paves the way for establishing one of the largest Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) in Canada. The Seal River Watershed supports an estimated 10 million breeding birds, as well as millions more that use the watershed’s abundant habitats for refueling and resting while on their long migratory journeys across the hemisphere.  

We enacted the Birds and Bees Protection Act in New York. This law prohibits the use of corn, wheat, or soy seeds that have been coated or treated with dangerous neonicotinoid pesticides, bans the use of neonics on outdoor ornamental plants and turf, and requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to continue to study neonics and identify potential alternative products.

Worked with Lawmakers to Cosponsor and Pass the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act

̽����ѡ Washington’s ongoing relationship building with Rep. Rick Larsen paid big dividends as he co-sponsored and helped pass legislation supporting hemispheric conservation for migratory birds. The passage of The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act was a significant national policy success story.

̽����ѡ Vermont helped the state achieve significant legislative milestones that promise to protect its natural heritage, promote sustainable development, and invest in the state's future workforce. The recent passage of bills H.706 and H.687 is a significant indication of the state’s commitment to conservation and smart growth. H.706 will reduce the use of toxic neonicotinoid pesticides while H.687 balances housing needs with environmental protections. Securing state funding for the Serve, Learn and Earn program underscores a dedication to training the next generation of leaders and Vermonters entering the workforce.

In the truncated, 2024 state legislative session we played a key role in mobilizing our network – through action alerts and earned media - to pass a 100 percent clean school bus bill that will help promote clean air for kids and birds. This year, 50 ̽����ѡ volunteers participated in 17 legislator meetings and 4,250 emails were sent to legislators via action alerts. 

Supported a Bill to Establish the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative

The Mississippi River is one of our most important natural assets, providing drinking water to over 20 million Americans. The river’s watershed encompasses 40 percent of the contiguous United States and spans 31 states. The diverse habitats along the river host a globally significant flyway supporting more than 325 species of birds.

That’s just part of why ̽����ѡ is excited about legislation introduced today in Congress by Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Representative Betty McCollum (MN) to create the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) to focus on systemic, largescale restoration of the Mississippi River.

From the glacial headwaters of Minnesota’s Lake Itasca to St. Louis and New Orleans, the tributaries and wetlands of the Mississippi River are vital to birds and people. The river is a national treasure and boasts tremendous ecological and economic importance for the nation.

Advocated for Offshore Energy Decisions that are Good for Birds

The Seabird Institute has extensively tracked terns, puffins, and storm-petrels to inform siting decisions for offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Maine. The highest priority goal has been to minimize overlap between wind farms and the areas nesting birds visit repeatedly during the nesting season to find food to feed their chicks.

In April, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the federal agency leading the planning process in federal waters, announced Lease Areas for wind energy development that minimally overlap with areas used by terns and puffins nesting along Maine’s coast. This is a significant win for birds! There are still concerns to investigate, however. The Seabird Institute’s tracking work is now becoming more focused on understanding possible interactions between birds and Lease Areas as we continue to advocate for bird-friendly construction and operation practices.

Advanced Advocacy and Funding in the Delaware River Watershed

From forested headwaters to urban cityscapes, the Delaware River Watershed is home to millions of birds and people. The watershed supports more than 400 species of migratory birds and provides drinking water to over 14 million people throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. ̽����ѡ works up and down the watershed to engage communities, restore habitats, and support the river.

Recently, the Delaware River Watershed received some much needed national attention on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Michigan’s wetlands, crucial for the health of both birds and people, are set to receive vital restoration funding thanks to Governor Whitmer's newly signed state budget.  The FY25 state budget includes $10 million for The Water Infrastructure Initiative – Green Infrastructure Project. As the first state program of its kind, the initiative will provide funding to encourage local municipalities to restore and conserve wetlands and undertake other proactive strategies before flooding events occur. The budget also includes $3 million for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to acquire and conserve wetlands throughout the state. This important work will benefit birds, other wildlife and communities. ̽����ѡ Great Lakes and its members mobilized in support of this important funding. In June, ̽����ѡ members and policy experts participated in  Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol, meeting with state lawmakers to emphasize the importance of wetlands.

̽����ѡ members gathered at the Michigan State Capitol to urge lawmakers to advance policy solutions that will protect and restore wetlands and address climate change for the benefit of birds, other wildlife and people. During the event, 30 ̽����ѡ members representing six chapters from across the state met with lawmakers.

Celebrated 52 Years of the Clean Water Act

Before the Clean Water Act, there were virtually no regulations governing water pollution, leading to severe impacts on both human health and wildlife. In New York City, hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage were dumped into the Hudson River daily, resulting in dangerously high bacteria levels. Ohio’s Cuyahoga River famously caught fire multiple times due to oil and industrial waste. And these weren’t isolated incidents—many of the country’s rivers and wetlands were facing similar degradation. In some instances, there were massive fish die-offs, creating profound impacts on birds and communities.

But thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Water Act, our waterways are now in significantly better condition. The Act established enforceable standards, resulting in cleaner rivers, healthier ecosystems, and safer communities.

Governor Evers signed SB 222, the Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant Program, into law, a bipartisan victory for Wisconsin’s wetlands and the birds and communities that depend on them. As the first state program of its kind, SB 222 will provide funding to encourage local governments to restore and conserve wetlands and undertake other proactive strategies before flooding events occur.  ̽����ѡ Great Lakes and its members mobilized in support of SB 222.

Last spring, ̽����ѡ members and policy experts attended Advocacy Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol to meet with 28 elected officials to share the importance of wetlands, and advocate for policies like SB 222. As the bill made its way through the legislature, ̽����ѡ members sent more than 1,500 letters to their legislators in support of its passage. Thanks to this important advocacy, more birds will have habitat to thrive in Wisconsin in the years to come.  

, further reducing the number of wetlands that are protected in the state. A month later, the Indiana Legislature took a step in the right direction for wildlife and communities that depend on Indiana’s wetlands by signing SB 246 into law. Introduced by Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange), the law encourages landowners to protect wetlands on their property by allowing some privately owned wetlands to be given “wildland” status, which qualifies them for tax breaks.

More than 20 ̽����ѡ members from across the state met with over 32 Indiana lawmakers to advocate for strong wetlands protections, sharing the importance that these natural areas provide to birds and other wildlife.

Protected Wetlands at the Federal Level

On May 25, 2023, the Supreme Court drastically weakened federal Clean Water Act protections for waterways across the country. The Sackett v. EPA ruling found that smaller bodies of water—like seasonal streams or wetlands—that do not directly connect to another federally protected water body (like a larger lake or river) do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. A year later, the ramifications of the ruling are still being understood in many parts of the country, but overall, the decision resulted in drastically fewer federal protections for waterways that are critical for birds and people. At ̽����ѡ, we continue to work with partners and federal agencies to find solutions for this regulatory gap—this includes working at state and local levels and advocating for increased federal funding for existing programs that protect and restore wetlands. 

North Carolina has seen a trio of breakthrough native plants policies since 2023, the end result of which will be more native plants in the ground across the state and on the shelves at local garden stores and nurseries. The first two policies were announced last year and require the use of native plants at all state parks, historic sites, and roadways. Then in March of this year, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a sweeping conservation executive order, which also included a requirement for the use of native plants on all future state-owned projects. These policies come after years of advocacy by ̽����ѡ members and partners, who have lobbied lawmakers, signed petitions, and recruited businesses as supporters.

Supported Legislation that Led to Saline Lake Ecosystem Science Strategy

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a new saline lake ecosystem Science Strategy which follows the passage of landmark bipartisan legislation directing USGS to assess and monitor saline lake ecosystems and the birds that rely on them to “inform and support coordinated management and conservation actions to benefit those ecosystems, migratory birds, and other wildlife.”

The importance of this work to protect irreplaceable habitats that people and birds depend on is evident in the Science Strategy, and ongoing funding at the authorized levels will be critical to advancing science and collaborative solutions across the Great Basin and these at-risk saline lake habitats.

More than 80 ̽����ѡ members gathered to meet with their lawmakers at the North Carolina General Assembly in May. In meetings throughout the day, advocates met with more than 50 state senators and representatives to reinforce just how many of their local constituents' care about birds and conservation. The biggest win in the general assembly was the revival of the Conservation Tax Credit, which gives landowners incentives to protect land and habitat and could be a useful tool for protecting wetlands in light of the US Supreme Court's 2023 Sackett decision. We’re also working to continue building momentum for wetlands protections. 

The Council on Environmental Quality restored one of the country’s bedrock environmental laws – the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) -- to its full capacity, including requiring federal agencies to consider climate impacts in proposed projects, and consult with communities. The previous administration rolled back many of NEPA’s protections. Over 16,000 people took supporting restoring NEPA, generating over 50,000 messages to senators and representatives. The protections will help conserve bird habitat and ensure that federal projects are responsibly sited and carried out in a way that minimizes harm to wildlife and communities. 

The Environmental Protection Agency released a final rule to limit pollution from coal and new natural gas-fired power plants, which will help slow the rise in global temperatures and reduce harmful air pollution. This will reduce emissions and help reduce climate threats to birds and people. More than 28,000 ̽����ѡ supporters sent comments in support of the rule.

̽����ѡ Upper Mississippi River rallied Minnesota chapters and ̽����ѡ supporters statewide in an educational campaign highlighting the impact of a yes or no vote to renew the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The amendment to continue dedicating 40 percent of Minnesota Lottery proceeds to the trust fund passed with an overwhelming 77 percent of the vote. This ensures that the work to preserve and protect Minnesota’s land and water continues with strong public support and funding.