Hundreds of State Legislators Join Defenders of Wildlife in Calling for a National Biodiversity Strategy

Today, 365 legislators from 48 states and territories sent a letter to President Biden urging him to establish a national biodiversity strategy. 

These legislators now join members of Congress, Defenders of Wildlife, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and over 120 other organizations including World Wildlife Fund, Earthjustice, International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Wildlife Society and Natural Resources Defense Council calling on the Biden Administration to adopt one. 

“The foundation of nature and life itself is crumbling rapidly. The Biden administration can and must take bold and unprecedented action to combat the biodiversity crisis,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife. “The message is clear from federal, state and NGO leaders. The United States needs a national biodiversity strategy. We thank these policymakers for demonstrating the leadership with the urgency needed to address this problem.”  

"States are sending a powerful message that it's time the United States took a national approach to protect biodiversity," said Jeff Mauk, NCEL Executive Director. "With legislators from 48 states and territories, the need for a National Biodiversity Strategy is clear. States are taking the lead with innovative legislation to safeguard biodiversity. But biodiversity doesn't recognize state borders; this problem needs a national unified solution."

A national biodiversity strategy would allow the U.S. to have a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling the five main drivers of the biodiversity crisis: habitat loss, direct exploitation of species, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. Worldwide, 193 other countries have developed forms of a national biodiversity strategy. Current Biden administration initiatives, like 30X30 and the National Nature Assessment, while important building blocks, fall short of the comprehensive policy approach that is needed.  

“Biodiversity refers to every living thing on earth and protecting this mosaic of life helps preserve Colorado as we know it,” said Colorado State Representative Alex Valdez. “That's why, alongside several of my colleagues, I read a Tribute on this issue during Earth Week 2022 to show support for a national biodiversity strategy."

The letter builds on the efforts of 50 members of the House of Representatives, including members of the House Appropriations Committee for the Interior and the Environment, the Natural Resources Committee and a growing bipartisan list of others calling for a national biodiversity strategy and supporting Rep. Joe Neguse’s (D-CO) H. Res. 69.