Department of the Interior Weakens Key Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protections, Increasing Risk for Millions of Birds

WASHINGTON (April 15, 2025) – On Friday, the U.S. Department of the Interior revoked a key policy under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which protects birds from avoidable deaths caused by large-scale and industrial activities. These protections from “incidental take” have successfully been implemented by both Republican and Democratic administrations for decades and have saved millions of birds, while helping maintain an annual $279 billion economic impact from birding, a pastime that 96 million Americans partake and invest in every year. This law is vital for the conservation of more than 1,000 species of birds, especially as populations have declined by 3 billion birds since 1970 across North America.

“As America’s birds continue to face significant declines, now is the time to strengthen their protections,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer for the National Audubon Society. “There are practical solutions that uphold the Migratory Bird Treaty Act while also delivering the long-overdue regulatory clarity that industry needs. Audubon is committed to working with decision-makers on reforms that ensure our nation’s birds receive the lasting protections they need to thrive.”

About Audubon 

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety. 

Media Contact: Jeff Billington, jeff.billington@audubon.org