Act for Songbirds in the House The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act is now up for reauthorization in the Congress. You can help ensure it passes. U.S. Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) is expected to introduce legislation to reauthorize the existing Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) to meet the growing needs of our migrants, many of which are in rapid decline. NMBCA is the only federal U.S. grants program specifically dedicated to the conservation of our migrant birds that is available Americas-wide. It has a proven track-record of success, having supported 225 projects in 44 U.S. states/territories and 34 other countries since its inception in 2002. Advances in conservation for many species, such as  the declining Cerulean Warbler, owe much to the NMBCA. The reauthorization bill proposes a significant increase in maximum funding from $6 million to $20 million by 2015, meaning many of the worthwhile projects that cannot currently be funded will be able to be supported. This increase in the NMBCA is therefore crucial in helping achieve international bird conservation goals. Please use the form below to tell your Representative how important you believe the NMBCA is, and encourage them to support the forthcoming Kind Bill. The system is fully automated, so simply by filling in your full address below and clicking send, your message will be sent directly to your Congressperson. We have drafted a letter for you, but your personal comments will increase the impact of your email, so please consider making your own edits to the letter body and subject line below. Thank you for your support in ensuring that the NMBCA reauthorization is passed. Sincerely, Anne Law Deputy Director of Conservation Advocacy Photo: Painted Bunting by Peter LaTourette

February 09, 2010 Subject: Dear Representative As your constituent, and one of the 46 million Americans that provide $32 billion to the U.S. economy each year through the outdoor sport of birdwatching, I respectfully ask you to support the reauthorization of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA). Rep. Ron Kind is geared up to introduce the bill which will seek to strengthen the NMBCA to meet the growing needs of rapidly declining Neotropical migratory birds. Each spring, some five billion birds of 500 different species make their spectacular migration from their winter habitats in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean to their breeding grounds throughout North America. These birds face many threats, in particular the continuing loss of habitat on their breeding, staging, and wintering grounds. Many of these birds are experiencing significant population declines. Several species, such as the Cerulean Warbler and Olive-sided Flycatcher, have declined by as much as 70% since the 1960s. The NMBCA is the only source of federal funding dedicated specifically to bird conservation throughout the Americas. It is an extremely effective matching grants program that coordinates and funds the conservation of Neotropical migratory birds and their habitats in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It has a proven track record of reversing habitat loss and degradation, and of advancing innovative management and habitat restoration strategies. Between 2002 and 2007, the program supported 225 projects, coordinated by partners in 44 U.S. states/territories and 34 other countries. More than $21 million from NMBCA grants has leveraged over $95 million in partner contributions, far exceeding the 3:1 federal match requirement. Projects involving land conservation have affected about 3 million acres of bird habitat. Thank you in advance for your help in conserving America’s neotropical migratory bird species by cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. I await your written response. Sincerely, We will add your signature from the information you provide.		First Name* Last Name* Email* Street* Street 2 City* State/Province* Select a state Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces (the) Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Other Zip/Postal Code*