As a Massachusetts resident, I love the signs of autumn, from watercolored leaves to Halloween decorations; however, with threatened populations of native species, the festivity can quickly turn sour when a walk in the woods is rudely interrupted by hordes of invasive bittersweet vines, or the forest lies silent, devoid of the sounds of migratory birds beloved by birdwatchers.
October, aptly dubbed “Bat Appreciation Month,” should be a time when we’re brought outside to respect nature and consider how we are responsible for protecting its species. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2023 (S.1149) sought to do this, but it’s been rotting like a pumpkin at the Senate’s door since March 2023. As such, I call on Rep. Lori Trahan to co-sponsor and help pass this innovative act so we can better protect native species and the ecosystems they rely on.
This act aims to provide wildlife agencies of states and U.S. territories nationwide with over a billion dollars annually to implement Wildlife Action Plans. Bats, among the most threatened vertebrates in North America, are on a downward trend in the United States. Of the eight species of these beneficial insectivores found in Massachusetts, four are already classified as vulnerable or endangered by NatureServe, the IUCN Red List, or the Endangered Species Act.
On top of investing millions in the wildlife conservation efforts of native and Indigenous peoples, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2023 would protect species listed under the Endangered Species Act and those of the greatest conservation need. This isn’t exclusive to bats and birds — native bumblebees, woodland plants, and blue-spotted salamanders all need help to recover.
Rep. Trahan can help to make this a reality, and as my elected official, I call on her to co-sponsor and help pass this important legislation.
Reed Moffitt
Old Road to Nine Acre Corner