DENVER — The National Wildlife Federation heralded legislation that will put millions of Americans to work restoring our nation’s forests and watersheds. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) introduced the bipartisan Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act, which will provide $60 billion to state, local, and Tribal leaders to support restoration, resilience, and mitigation projects on public, private, and tribal lands. 

“Catastrophic fires, invasive species, and other factors have degraded our forests, rangelands, and watersheds.  The Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act will empower local and Tribal leaders to advance restoration and resilience projects that will create jobs and strengthen local economies.  Restoring these landscapes and watersheds will help ensure vibrant wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and a thriving outdoor recreation economy for generations to come.” David Willms, senior director of western wildlife and conservation at the National Wildlife Federation.  

Restoring natural infrastructure such as forests, grasslands, and watersheds will benefit wildlife, create jobs, and help local communities be more resilient to impacts from climate change.