New York’s game species are literally losing ground, as human development and climate change is restricting their native habitats.
A new report from the National Wildlife Federation found game species across the country lost, on average, 6.5 million acres of habitat over the past two decades. It is a trend advocates contended will continue unless lawmakers take action.
Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation, said hunters and anglers are important partners when discussing the issue with legislators.
“Hunters and anglers, the ones who go out and pursue those species, are the ones who are appropriate for finding the solutions, advocating for the solutions, talking to members of Congress and getting this stuff happening,” Kindle asserted.
Kindle pointed out one possible solution to America’s habitat loss is the 30×30 target, which calls for restoring and preserving 30% of America’s lands by 2030. The plan has earned the endorsement of the Biden-Harris administration, which has renamed the strategy the America the Beautiful initiative.
Kindle noted the 30×30 plan would provide an avenue to restore and rehabilitate the nation’s lands and waters. He added restoring natural infrastructure such as rivers, forests and wetlands would benefit everyone.
“If you have a healthy river with vegetation on both sides, it provides habitat,” Kindle explained. “But it also slows floodwaters; it cleans the water before it gets to a human drinking-water source.”
Per the report, between 65 and 82 million acres of America’s national forests are in need of restoration. In addition to the 30×30 plan outlined in Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative, Congress is considering the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would allocate nearly $1.4 billion annually to states to implement habitat-restoration and conservation strategies.
Born and raised in Indiana, he has been covering issues in Wisconsin for the past several years. Jonah previously worked at WORT 89.9 FM in Madison, Wisconsin. Now he covers a host of issues for the Public News Service as part of the New York News Connection. Click here to support their mission! Send them an email at [email protected].