La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

For World Migratory Bird Day, May 13th, Skagit Audubon Society especially appreciated the leadership of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, who is sponsoring a bill reauthorizing and bolstering the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act.

As members of the Skagit Valley community, we understand the vital role that migratory birds play in our ecosystem and our economy. Our valley is home to myriad migratory bird species that rely on the region's wetlands, forests, and farmland as critical stopover sites during their long journeys. Without these habitats, these birds would be unable to complete their annual migrations, leading to devastating consequences for both the birds and the natural world around us.

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act is a bedrock policy that recognizes the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats across the entire hemisphere. The bill provides critical funding to support conservation efforts in the regions where these birds spend their winters, as well as the breeding grounds they use during the summer months.

The legislation introduced by Rep. Larsen will increase the investments this policy makes in protecting birds across the hemisphere, helping to ensure that birds have the habitat they need to thrive, no matter where they are on their migratory journey.

Tim Manns

Skagit Audubon Society