Osprey via USFWS

One of the oldest environmental laws in the U.S., the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is the primary piece of legislation established to protect over 1,000 species of migratory birds and makes it illegal to harm them except under very specific circumstances. Now this crucial law is coming under attack.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an amendment in the FY2016 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill that would bar the Department of Justice from enforcing the MBTA, and a similar amendment could be brought up in the Senate. Halting enforcement would leave migratory birds vulnerable to all kinds of harm, from industrial activity to deliberate killing. If this amendment becomes law, it could set the cause of bird and wildlife conservation back decades.

Mass Audubon will be reaching out to U.S. Senators Warren and Markey, and we encourage you to do the same! Please urge our Senators to vote NO on any amendments threatening migratory birds that may come up when this bill is called to the floor.

You can take action easily through our friends at the American Bird Conservancy, or you can call directly using the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Thank you for your advocacy!