Today, in recognition of World Wildlife Day, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C) announced that they have reintroduced legislation to create a U.S. Foundation for International Conservation that would fund public-private partnerships designed to support large-scale conservation and effective protected area management around the world while also benefiting local communities.
Joining them as cosponsors are Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), with companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives David Joyce (R-Ohio), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), and Henry Cuellar (D-Tex.).
In response, WWF issued the following statement from Carter Roberts, president and CEO:
"Protecting nature on the scale required means mobilizing significant resources from both governments and the private sector.
"Establishing a United States 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."
