On World Wildlife Day, Senators Coons and Graham, congressional conservation leaders reintroduce bill creating new U.S. Foundation for International Conservation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to create a U.S. Foundation for International Conservation today, in commemoration of World Wildlife Day and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation would fund public-private partnerships to support local communities around the world in effectively managing protected and conserved areas. Senators Coons and Graham are the Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator Coons is also a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“We are at a critical moment for financing the conservation of biodiversity and the lands and waters that sustain our planet’s health. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation will help meet these challenges by leveraging private funding for solutions that are driven by the local communities who live and work around protected areas – in turn, providing stability and stability to these areas,” said Senator Coons. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of CITES, we must also recognize that we can do more to prevent the illegal wildlife trade by effectively managing protected and conserved areas. I look forward to working with my colleagues to quickly advance this important legislation.” 

“The creation of the Foundation for International Conservation is a win-win in that the bill leverages private capital while supporting the long-term protection of critical landscapes around the world,” said Senator Graham. “Investments in conservation lead to food security and regional stability. I am proud to work with my colleagues and stakeholders to position the United States as a leader in international conservation.”

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the world currently faces significant risks because of global biodiversity loss. Monitored wildlife populations declined by nearly 70% on average between 1970 and 2018. Protected and conserved areas play an important role in protecting wildlife and vital ecosystems, but they are often underfunded. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act (S. 618) would address this issue by leveraging investments from the private and philanthropic sectors to fund as much as $2 billion for protected areas around the world, and the communities surrounding them, over the next decade. The new foundation would make awards for conservation efforts that are cost-matched, have support and engagement from host countries and local populations, create economic opportunities, and demonstrate plans to transfer management skills to local institutions.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Senators Coons, Boozman, Heinrich, and Tillis are Co-Chairs of the International Conservation Caucus. The bicameral bill is being led in the House of Representatives by Representatives David Joyce (R-Ohio), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), the Co-Chairs of the International Conservation Caucus in the House.

“I’m pleased to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to fund public-private partnerships that support local communities around the world in effectively managing protected and conserved areas,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “Continued U.S. investment in international conservation is essential as we continue to face global challenges like the biodiversity crisis, access to clean water, climate resilience, and more. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act will help protect wildlife and vital ecosystems while supporting local populations.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues from the House and Senate to introduce the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act, which will help attract private funding for long-term conservation projects around the world,” said Congressman David Joyce. “These projects will not only help preserve important biodiversity but will also lift up communities and help support our nation’s security.”

The text of the bill is available here.

“Conserving nature requires sustained investment. Currently, only a small fraction of all available global climate finance is aimed at protecting nature, and billions of dollars in private capital for nature-based investments are sidelined by uncertainty and risk. Public-private partnerships can unlock needed finance for conservation projects around the world, bolstering climate security, food and water security, and economic and national security. Passing this legislation would be a major win for wildlife, human development, climate, and the United States — and will inspire other countries to take action as the world comes together to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO, Conservation International.

“Protecting nature on the scale required means mobilizing significant resources from both governments and the private sector. Establishing a U.S. Foundation for International Conservation would help by forging new public-private partnerships to conserve critical landscapes and seascapes. In doing so, it would enhance America’s efforts to halt and reverse nature loss and protect resources that millions of people rely upon for their lives and livelihoods. WWF commends the bipartisan group of lawmakers who have introduced this legislation and looks forward to seeing it enacted into law. We will continue to work with Congress and the administration to build and strengthen U.S. government partnerships with countries, communities, and the private sector in support of global conservation,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO, World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

“This act is a critical step toward promoting long-term, effective conservation strategies for lands and waters across the planet. It is also a commitment to our international partners that the United States is ready to do its part. As this proposed legislation highlights, partnering with local communities to implement on-the-ground work that will conserve and restore nature is an essential component of ensuring long-term benefits that promote economic growth and improve quality of life. As the world grapples with how to address its climate and biodiversity crises, we look forward to seeing Senators Coons and Graham and the Co-Chairs of the Senate and House International Conservation Caucuses accomplish their goal of creating a U.S. Foundation for International Conservation and thank them for their leadership,” said Jennifer Morris, CEO, The Nature Conservancy.

“The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act is a critical U.S. instrument in solving the conservation financing puzzle in developing countries. This legislation will help galvanize the required investment that enhances governance and management effectiveness in protected and conserved areas. At the same time, it will catalyze the direct involvement of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth. The COVID-19 crisis resulted in the loss of revenue, exposed vulnerabilities to economic shocks, and illuminated the underlying financing and resourcing challenges facing protected and conserved areas in Africa and around the world,” said Edwin Tambara, Director, Global Leadership, African Wildlife Foundation.

“The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act would help the U.S. lead in funding durable conservation for developing countries that engages all stewards of the environment. The public-private match unleashes resources and enhances commitments to biodiversity that will greatly benefit the global community. This legislation comes at an important moment after nations agreed last December to a global biodiversity framework for the next decade,” said Tom Dillon, Senior Vice President for Environment, The Pew Charitable Trusts.

“International conservation is essential to U.S. strategic interests – from good governance, regional stability, and conflict avoidance to poverty alleviation and food security. It is wonderful to see the leadership of the U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus working in a bipartisan manner with the private sector on an innovative new public-private partnership to secure large landscapes for the long-term benefit of people and their communities,” said David H. Barron, Founder, International Conservation Caucus Foundation.

“The Wildlife Conservation Society commends our congressional champions for reintroducing the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act for the benefit of people and nature. This is truly a bipartisan initiative that will safeguard wild places and biodiversity by funding effective management of protected and conserved areas. This will ensure that scientists, NGOs, governing bodies, and Indigenous groups have the tools to sustain complex ecosystems across our planet that are vital to life on earth,” said John Calvelli, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society.

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