December 17, 2019 – Today, with the passage of the Interior Appropriations bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congress is poised to pass $9.7 million for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program for fiscal year 2020 – an increase of $3.7 million from fiscal year 2019 – with bipartisan support.
“Funding at this level will allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to accelerate conservation efforts in the watershed, by bringing federal, state and local governments together with nonprofit organizations to prioritize and implement much-needed restoration projects,” said Ana Paula Tavares, executive director of Audubon New York.
“We look forward to working with our federal, state and local governments and partners to ensure the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program continues to lead the way in protecting and restoring our founding waters,” said Greg Goldman, executive director of Audubon Pennsylvania. “This program will help reverse wildlife declines, improve water quality and enhance economic conditions right here in our communities by expanding healthy recreational access and providing job opportunities.”
“We commend the bipartisan delegation for demonstrating their commitment to protecting this critical natural resource,” said Beth Brown, director of the Delaware River Watershed Program at Audubon Pennsylvania. “The Delaware River Watershed provides key habitat for iconic birds as varied as the Red Knot, Wood Thrush and American Black Duck. When habitats improve for birds and wildlife, people also benefit with more flood-resilient communities, better water quality and reduced stormwater.”
Audubon New York and Audubon Pennsylvania work to improve conditions for birds and people in the Delaware River Watershed through on-the-ground conservation, advocacy and watershed education. Audubon is an active member of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and works with partners to drive impactful conservation efforts and advocate for bipartisan conservation measures at all levels of government.
###
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Audubon New York, the state office of the National Audubon Society, protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon New York’s 84,000 members, nature centers and sanctuaries, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan. Together, we are informing, inspiring and uniting diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.ny.audubon.org.
Audubon Pennsylvania, a state office of the National Audubon Society, conserves and restores natural ecosystems in Pennsylvania, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Learn more at www.pa.audubon.org and by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @audubonpa.
Media Contacts:
National Audubon Society, Chandler Lennon, chandler.lennon@audubon.org, 212.979.3063
Audubon New York, Sharon Bruce, sharon.bruce@audubon.org, 518.869.9731 x113
