LITTLE ROCK —  Senator John Boozman has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that will dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help at-risk wildlife species nationwide.

“Arkansans can be proud that Senator Boozman is one the first to cosponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act,” said Terri Lane, director of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. “Arkansas wildlife are in crisis and this bill takes a commonsense, cost-effective approach while addressing the problem at scale. It will give the state the resources it needs to restore habitat, improve water quality and protect the Natural State’s outdoor heritage.”

The bill would send $14.8 million to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission which the agency will use to work with partners across the state to implement its wildlife action plan. The plan identifies 377 priority species, including the Northern bobwhite quail, monarch butterfly and eastern collared lizard. 

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

A similar bill passed the House last session, with support from Representative J. French Hill. Senator Boozman also cosponsored a Senate version last session. It passed out of committee but never received a floor vote, despite having 47 bipartisan cosponsors.

Federally recognized tribal nations would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts in the lands they manage. 

“Wildlife conservation is an urgent issue that unites all Americans. This bill will facilitate proactive, on-the-ground efforts to keep Arkansas wildlife populations healthy. We hope Senator Cotton and the rest of the Arkansas delegation will join Senator Boozman in backing this bill and getting it across the finish line,” said Lane.