WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate’s reauthorization of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act will benefit America’s wildlife and way of life. Led by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Shelley Capito (R-W.Va.), the bill invests in wetlands and habitat restoration projects across the country as well as strategies to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock.

“Roughly a third of all species in the United States are at risk. The passage of this bill shows us once again that Americans are united on the need to protect wildlife and our outdoor heritage,” said Andrew Wilkins, director of land conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We urge the House to take up this effort to restore habitat for wildlife on our lands and in our waters.”

Key provisions of the ACE Act will:

• Increase funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act;
• Provide grants for states and Tribal nations so they can compensate livestock producers for losses due to predation by federally protected species such as grizzly bears;
• Reauthorize the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which supports collaborative efforts to restore and conserve aquatic ecosystems;
• Reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Initiative and the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense Program;
• Reauthorize the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, which helps protect water, oceans, coasts, and wildlife from threats posed by invasive species;
• Encourage partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties for promoting fish conservation; and
• Reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Act.