Serrano Honored for Leadership in Wildlife Conservation

Congressman José E. Serrano (D-Bronx) received the Teaming With Wildlife Award recently, which focuses on honoring champions of wildlife conservation. The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition  is comprised of more than 6,300 state fish and wildlife agencies, wildlife biologists, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, hikers, nature-based businesses, and other conservationists. The group is dedicated to preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. Rep. Serrano has steadfastly stood with the groups in the coalition in supporting wildlife and the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program on the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. 

Over the past 12 years, New York has received over $33 million from State and Tribal Wildlife Grants, a program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Congressman Serrano said, “I am proud to advocate for programs that benefit the environment like the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants. These sorts of environmental funding sources must not dry up in today's anti-spending atmosphere. In addition to their environmental impact, they support vital jobs and science."

One of the key members of the Teaming with Wildlife coalition is the Bronx Zoo/WCS.

“State and Tribal Wildlife Grants have a long track record of success in helping states implement proactive, non-regulatory, incentive-based conservation for threatened species here in our own backyard,” said John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “Not only that, but they act as an economic engine and job creator, contributing to the $1.06 trillion in total economic activity and 9.4 million jobs that are part of outdoor recreation, nature conservation and historic preservation. The wildlife conservation community needs more champions in Washington like Rep. Serrano to make sure this efficient, accountable program is able to continue to do good work.”