Bipartisan Rejection of Owl Resolution a Clarion Call to Urgently Invest in Habitat Restoration, Wildlife Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congress should build upon the U.S. Senate's bipartisan rejection of a resolution to rescind spotted owl recovery plans by supporting legislation that invests in state and Tribal wildlife action plans, habitat restoration, and invasive species abatement.

"Anytime we need to kill wildlife to save other wildlife it only highlights how out-of-balance we have pushed ecosystems," said Mike Leahy, senior director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation. "Extinction is forever, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan - while highly unfortunate - is informed by the best available science. While the Senate was right to reject this resolution, it now needs to redouble its efforts to concertedly invest in proactive, on-the-ground species recovery and restore habitat through legislation like the Recovering America's Wildlife Act."