# Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2022: What It Actually Does

This bill creates a major new funding program to help states and Native American tribes protect and restore wildlife species that are struggling or disappearing. The core idea is straightforward: the federal government will send $1.3 billion per year to state wildlife agencies and $97.5 million per year to tribal governments specifically to manage animals and plants that are in trouble but aren't yet protected under the Endangered Species Act.

**Who gets the money and what can they do with it?**

State wildlife departments will receive funding based on factors like their size, the number of endangered species within their borders, and their land and water area. They can use these funds to protect species that are declining or facing threats—things like restoring habitat for struggling bird populations, managing invasive species that threaten native wildlife, preventing disease outbreaks in animal populations, or even hiring more wildlife biologists and rangers. Importantly, at least 15 percent of each state's funding must go toward helping species that are already listed as endangered or threatened. States can also spend money on wildlife education and recreation programs, though that's capped at 15 percent of their total funding. Native American tribes get their own separate funding stream and can use it for similar purposes, including managing species that are culturally important to their communities.

**What does this mean for everyday people?**

For most citizens, this bill is invisible but beneficial. If you enjoy hunting, fishing, birdwatching, or just appreciate seeing wildlife, this funding helps ensure those experiences continue. The money supports the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps ecosystems healthy—removing invasive species, protecting critical habitats, and preventing species from declining to the point where they need emergency protection under the Endangered Species Act. The bill also includes a competitive grant program (10 percent of the funding) that rewards states and tribes for innovative conservation approaches, encouraging them to try new techniques that might work better than traditional methods. Landowners should note that the bill explicitly states that receiving these funds doesn't require states to force public access onto private land, so conservation work can happen on private property without opening it to the public.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2022

Dingell, Debbie

Recovering America&rsquo;s Wildlife Act of 2021 This bill provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, territories, or the District of Columbia; and (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects. The Department of the Interior must use a portion of the funding for a grant program. The grants must be used for innovative recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need, species listed as endangered or threatened species, or the habitats of such species.