HR3276-119

What This Bill Does

The Local Communities and Bird Habitat Stewardship Act responds to bird-population declines and the economic importance of birdwatching. It cites a 50 percent loss of tipping-point bird species over 50 years, 96 million U.S. birdwatchers, $279 billion in annual economic output, $108 billion in birding trips and equipment, and 1.4 million jobs supported by birding-related spending. The bill directs the Interior Secretary, through the Fish and Wildlife Service Director, to establish a voluntary Urban Bird Treaty Program. The program supports covered entities in protecting, restoring, and enhancing urban bird habitats, controlling invasive species, restoring native plants, reducing urban hazards, engaging communities in bird monitoring, educating the public, building project capacity, and sharing best management practices. It also creates competitive grants for research, planning, assessment, management, monitoring, collaboration, workforce training, and related activities, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Authorization is $1 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2032.

Who Benefits and How

Municipal agencies benefit from technical and financial assistance for urban bird habitat projects. Community groups benefit from competitive grants for monitoring, education, stewardship, and workforce training. Birdwatching businesses benefit if healthier urban bird habitats support birding trips, equipment spending, and local tourism. Urban residents benefit from greener bird habitats that can improve water, landscape resilience, and disease monitoring.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Fish and Wildlife Service staff must establish the Urban Bird Treaty Program and coordinate technical assistance and partnerships. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation staff must administer the competitive grant program under an Interior agreement. Grant applicants must prepare applications for research, planning, assessments, management, monitoring, or workforce training. Federal taxpayers bear the $1 million annual authorization through fiscal 2032.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a voluntary Urban Bird Treaty Program through the Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Authorizes technical and financial assistance for urban habitat restoration, invasive-species control, hazard reduction, monitoring, and education.
• Creates competitive grants administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
• Funds the program at $1 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2032.