Congress is finalizing the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a sweeping budget reconciliation package that includes significant cuts to federal science and conservation programs. The bill has passed the House and is expected to be voted on by the Senate imminently. If enacted, these cuts could have lasting impacts on bird conservation efforts in Indiana and nationwide.
Key Audubon Program Support Facing Elimination
- U.S. Geological Survey’s Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA): The proposed budget includes the elimination of the EMA, which houses the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL). The BBL is the sole federal entity responsible for authorizing bird banding permits, distributing bands, and maintaining the central database for avian research. Its closure would disrupt over a century of bird migration and population studies.
- NOAA Science Programs: Broad discretionary cuts are proposed for NOAA, potentially affecting climate research, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring programs critical to studying bird migration in Indiana.
Indiana Audubon relies on data and support from these federal programs for initiatives such as habitat restoration, migration tracking, and community science projects. The elimination of the BBL and cuts to NOAA programs would hinder our ability to conduct effective conservation work and engage the public in bird conservation efforts.
How You Can Help
We urge our members and supporters to take the following actions:
- Contact Your Federal Representatives: Reach out to your U.S. Senators and Representatives, especially if they are Republicans, and express your opposition to the proposed cuts to the USGS EMA and NOAA science programs.
- Support Indiana Audubon:
