Senators Coons, Graham celebrate committee passage of their bipartisan bill to create new U.S. Foundation for International Conservation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS), today celebrated committee passage of his bipartisan legislation with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of SFOPS, to create a U.S. Foundation for International Conservation. The bill passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this morning.

"The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation would fund public-private partnerships to support local communities around the world in effectively managing protected and conserved areas," said Senator Coons. "This bipartisan bill would increase the flow of private and philanthropic capital, in coordination with U.S. government investment, to conserve biodiversity, promote stability and security, and ensure the communities who live and work around protected areas drive their own future. On my recent congressional delegation to five countries in Africa and during my many trips to the developing world throughout my time in the Senate, I've seen the immensely positive impact that investing in conservation can have on local communities. I'd like to thank my Senate Foreign Relations Committee colleagues for joining me in a strong, bipartisan fashion to advance my legislation with Senator Graham to increase investment in the future of our planet, and I will continue working to pass this bill into law."

"The Foundation for International Conservation is a win-win in that the bill leverages private capital while supporting the long-term protection of critical landscapes around the world," said Senator Graham. "Investments in conservation lead to food security and regional stability. I am proud to work with Senator Coons, my colleagues, and stakeholders to position the United States as a leader in international conservation."

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.). A companion bill passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee last month, led by Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), by a vote of 42-7.

"Once in a generation a new idea comes along that takes root in America to support natural resource management for the future," said David H. Barron, Founder, International Conservation Caucus Foundation. "Today, the United States Senate took a step forward to advance the formation of the United States Foundation for International Conservation to provide conservation leadership support for national parks and protected areas in Africa, Asia, and Latin America for the benefit of their peoples, their communities, and their biodiversity. Thanks to Senators Coons, Graham, and others, that can now become a reality."

"As stewards of the earth, we stand at a critical juncture where the decisions we make today will shape the future of our planet," said Kaddu Sebunya, CEO, African Wildlife Foundation. "The passage of the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is a resounding declaration of commitment to safeguarding our shared natural heritage. Protected and conserved areas in Africa are not just boundaries on a map; they are vibrant ecosystems teeming with life, sustaining both biodiversity and local economies. Yet, these vital sanctuaries face unprecedented threats, from poaching to habitat loss. The establishment of the foundation signifies a monumental step towards ensuring their conservation for generations to come. By investing in conservation, we not only protect wildlife but also empower communities, bolster economies, and secure a sustainable future for all. Now is the time for bold action, and together, we must advocate for mutually beneficial people-centric solutions that are sustainable and attainable."

"Today, we reached a major milestone for boosting conservation efforts on the global stage," said Jennifer Morris, CEO, The Nature Conservancy. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's approval of the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act comes just weeks after the act cleared a key House committee. The bipartisan momentum behind this bill is a testament to how important it is to establish long-term, sustainable financing for the conservation of threatened lands and bodies of water. Protecting nature isn't just good for the United States and the health of our planet; it can also boost global stability. At The Nature Conservancy, we have witnessed firsthand how these investments can be transformative - for people and nature, as well as safety and security. This combination of U.S. investment and philanthropic funding will stimulate economic growth and empower local and Indigenous communities. We urge lawmakers to keep this pace and pass the legislation quickly so we can unlock the potential of these needed investments to create a more stable and healthy world."

"Conservation International applauds the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee passing the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act to protect nature in some of the most important and vulnerable places on Earth," said Pasha Majdi, Vice President, U.S. Government Policy and Strategy, Conservation International. "We thank the bipartisan leadership from Chairman [Ben] Cardin [D-Md.] and Ranking Member [James] Risch [R-Idaho], the steadfast commitment from Senators Coons and Graham, and Senators Tillis, Boozman, Whitehouse, Heinrich, Ricketts, and Kaine to advance the bill. This public-private partnership with leading philanthropists will provide a pathway for financing global conservation projects to build a more prosperous future. Now that both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee have passed the bill with overwhelming bipartisan support, Conservation International calls on Congress to pass the bill this year."

"Today's action in the Senate to advance the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act is a major step forward in reaffirming American leadership to protect nature around the globe," said Alejandro Pérez, Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, World Wildlife Fund. "Nature is under increasing threat, and we need to find ways to mobilize significant new finance from both the public and private sectors if we are to address this challenge at the scale required. By creating a new U.S. Foundation for International Conservation, this legislation will help to forge new public-private partnerships to conserve essential landscapes and seascapes and the natural resources they provide. The WWF commends the bipartisan group of lawmakers that has now advanced this legislation through committees in both the House and Senate. We urge both chambers of Congress to pass it into law in order to strengthen U.S. government partnerships with the private sector, local communities, and developing countries that will help protect our planet and the people who depend on it."

"The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act would bring together the public and private sectors to ensure protected areas provide economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits both locally and globally," said John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society. "Thank you to the U.S. Senate bill (S.618) champions Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for leadership in shepherding the bill through the Senate. Thank you, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Ranking Member James Risch (R-Idaho) for advancing this important bill through committee."

"Pew is gratified that the committee has acted to advance legislation that by leveraging private and public sector funds will both lead to an increase in protected areas around the world as well as help maintain the long-term management of existing conserved and protected areas globally," said Tom Dillon, Senior Vice President for Environment, The Pew Charitable Trusts. "The establishment of the foundation would demonstrate U.S. leadership in international conservation, promote sustainable development, and enhance global stability by strengthening partnerships with developing countries and combating activities such as wildlife trafficking and illegal deforestation."

A text of the bill is available here.

More information on the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation is available here.

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