Protecting Migratory Birds

Protecting Migratory Birds in the Houston Area

Each year, nearly 3 billion birds across North America perish due to preventable causes — including building and window collisions, power lines, oil spills, communication towers, and even entanglement in discarded fishing gear. These threats are especially urgent for migratory birds that pass through Houston, a vital stopover along the Central Flyway.

For more than a century, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) has been a crucial safeguard for these birds, requiring that industries take reasonable measures to prevent harm. Today, these protections are under threat. Efforts are underway to roll back the MBTA’s “incidental take” protections, making it easier for industries to unintentionally kill birds without accountability.

Here in the Houston region, these protections matter. They help keep species like the Roseate Spoonbill, Painted Bunting, and Yellow Warbler safe as they travel through our coastal wetlands, prairies, and urban green spaces.

Your voice is critical! Please join us in calling on Congress to restore and strengthen the MBTA.

Contact Your Elected Officials

Tell Senator Cruz, Senator Cornyn, and your U.S. House Representative that you oppose this proposed rule change. Use the button below to find your representative as well as the senators' email addresses.

By working together, we can ensure that future generations enjoy the beauty and diversity of our migratory birds. Thank you for supporting Houston Audubon’s mission to protect birds and their habitats.

Sample Message

Subject: Please Support the Migratory Bird Protection Act

Dear [elected official],

I urge you to cosponsor the Migratory Bird Protection Act. This crucial legislation is vital to uphold and strengthen the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which is essential for protecting our nation's bird populations.

I am very concerned about the Interior Department's Solicitor Opinion M-37050, which weakens the MBTA by narrowing its interpretation of "incidental take," essentially allowing for the unintentional killing of birds without accountability. This is a step backward from the protections that were affirmed by the previously withdrawn Solicitor Opinion M-37065, which recognized the importance of preventing such bird deaths.

By cosponsoring the Migratory Bird Protection Act, you will help ensure that the MBTA can continue to effectively conserve migratory birds for generations to come.

Thank you for your leadership on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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