A coalition of more than 100 environmental groups wrote to Congress to request a significant increase in funding to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s budget for endangered species conservation.
The groups requested the budget increase from $329 million to $857 million—a nearly three-fold increase over the fiscal year 2024 budget.
“Record-high inflation rates combined with a $7.7 million funding cut to key program functions in the FY24 budget has resulted in even more reduced capacity at the agency, which already routinely struggles to perform its most basic duties under the Act,” the Center for Biological Diversity said.
The requested budget would ensure each federally protected species receives at least $101,000 per year to help with their recovery.
