Contact: Jennifer Newmark, Nevada Department of Wildlife, 775-688-1996, jnewmark@ndow.org Russell Kuhlman, Nevada Wildlife Federation, 775-629-2341, kuhlman@nvwf.org Lacey McCormick, National Wildlife Federation, 512-203-3016, mccormick@nwf.org

RENO, Nev. (September 29, 2021) — Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen is co-sponsoring the most significant wildlife conservation bill in nearly half a century, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. The bipartisan bill will devote $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts – including $24.8 million to Nevada – to help at-risk wildlife species.
“We’re facing a looming wildlife crisis, and this is the most important piece of wildlife legislation in the past fifty years,” said Russell Kuhlman, Executive Director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation. “We thank Senator Rosen for co-sponsoring this fiscally responsible effort to help at-risk wildlife with collaborative, voluntary measures across every state, territory and Tribal nation.”

The Nevada Department of Wildlife will use the money to implement its wildlife action plan, which identifies 256 wildlife species of concern, including bighorn sheep, sage grouse and the Gila monster.

“We are truly appreciative of Senator Rosen’s support for this historic legislation,” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife. “Her efforts will help pave the way for large-scale, proactive conservation that is much needed by the wildlife admired by so many Nevadans.”

Nationwide, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act dedicates $1.4 billion annually to locally led wildlife restoration efforts. At least 15 percent of the funds will be used to help species already designated as endangered or threatened. Federally recognized tribal nations, such as the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts on tribal lands.

“Saving the thousands of at-risk wildlife species will require bold, bipartisan leadership and unprecedented collaboration,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We are so grateful to Senator Rosen for leading the way on the historic Recovering America’s Wildlife Act that will have an immediate impact – saving species and creating jobs in Nevada and all across the country.”

Representatives Mark Amodei, Steven Horsford and Dina Titus are among the more than 100 bipartisan supporters of the House version of the legislation.

“Wildlife conservation is an issue that unites all Americans. We look forward to seeing Senator Cortez Masto and Representative Lee join the rest of the Nevada delegation in cosponsoring this commonsense bill,” said Kuhlman.