Foreign Assistance for International Conservation
link to page 2 
INSIGHTi
Foreign Assistance for International
Conservation
June 2, 2023
The United States provides foreign assistance to support the conservation of wildlife and ecosystems in
the form of financial, programmatic, and technical support to address international conservation activities.
International conservation activities include those relating to species protection, biodiversity, habitat
restoration, and forest recovery, among other issues. Several federal agencies administer these programs,
including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Some Members of Congress have demonstrated interest in international conservation, particularly with
respect to biodiversity and human rights issues, funding for foreign assistance, and oversight of U.S.
agencies administering related activities. Further, there is continued congressional interest in international
conservation treaties to which the United States is a signatory, such as the Convention on International
Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Table 1 lists selected U.S. international programs that address conservation. (This list excludes programs
primarily addressing climate change.) It includes a description of each program, as well as the enacted
funding levels for FY2020-FY2023 and the FY2024 Administration’s request. The funding in Table 1 is
for specific programs, for financial commitments to international treaties or organizations, or from a line
item in appropriations law or a committee report that identifies funding for a set of activities. This list and
funding levels are not exhaustive, as some conservation activities not included may be conducted as part
of multi-sectoral projects with a focus on objectives not limited to conservation. Other programs where
conservation may be a secondary objective may not be listed in this table.
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
IN12171
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress
Congressional Research Service
2
Table 1. Enacted Appropriations from FY2020 to FY2023 for Selected Federal Programs
That Address International Conservation and the FY2024 Request.
($ in millions)
Program
Description
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY2024
Requesta
USAID
Biodiversity conservation activities
Not less
Not less
Not less
Not less
156.4
Biodiversity
conducted by USAID aim to help
than
than
than
than
Programs
developing countries maintain
315.0
320.0
385.0
385.0
biodiversity and habitats and the
environmental services they provide.
USAID funds projects and activities in
approximately 60 countries worldwide
and emphasizes sustainable
development and community-based
conservation.
USAID/State
This category covers funding under
Not less
Not less
175.0
175.0
77.9
Wildlife
several accounts that address wildlife
than
than
(50.0 for
(50.0 for
Poaching and
trafficking. A portion of funds is
100.7
100.7
INL and
INL and
Trafficking
appropriated to in-country programs
not less
not less
Programs
in Africa and Asia, and another portion
than
than
is appropriated to the International
125.0 for
125.0 for
Narcotics Control and Law
other
other
Enforcement Program (INL) to
accounts) accounts)
develop criminal justice systems and
capabilities addressing wildlife crime in
foreign countries.
International
This funding supports commitments
7.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Conservation
under international treaties that
Programs
address conservation. Some examples
include CITES, the U.N. Convention to
Combat Desertification, the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands, the
Intergovernmental Platform for
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(IPBES), and the International Tropical
Timber Organization.
U.N.
This funding goes toward the United
10.6
10.6
10.2
10.2
10.2
Environmental
Nations Environmental Program
Programs
(UNEP), which works in themes
related to climate change, disasters,
ecosystems, environmental
governance, chemicals and waste,
resource efficiency, and sustainability.
Department of
Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a
139.6
139.6
149.3
150.2
150.2
the Treasury
multilateral environmental trust fund
Global
that supports projects with global
Environmental
environmental benefits related to six
Facility
areas: biodiversity, climate change,
international waters, the ozone layer,
land degradation, and persistent
organic pol utants.
Congressional Research Service
3
Program
Description
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY2024
Requesta
Department of
This program funds “debt-for-nature”
15.0
15.0
15.0
20.0
15.0
the Treasury
transactions, in which a developing
Tropical Forest
country partner’s debt is exchanged
and Coral Reef
for local funds to conserve tropical
Conservation
forests.
Department of
This program aims to reduce
Not less
Not less
185.0
185.0
112.0
State and USAID greenhouse gas emissions from
than
than
Sustainable
deforestation and forest degradation.
135.0
135.0
Landscapes
Programming
(also known as
Natural Climate
Solutions)
FWS
The MSCF issues grants to support
15.0
18.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
Multinational
conservation efforts benefitting certain
Species
species, including African and Asian
Conservation
elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great
Fund (MSCF)
apes, tortoises, freshwater turtles, and
marine turtles. The grants target
species and address habitat
conservation, law enforcement, and
technical assistance for conserving
species under the MSCF.
FWS
This funding provides grants for the
4.9
4.9
5.0
5.1
9.9
Neotropical
conservation of hundreds of bird
Migratory Bird
species that migrate among North and
Fund
South America and the Caribbean.
FWS
This program addresses wildlife
18.8
23.0
25.4
29.0
26.7
International
conservation, wildlife trade, and the
Affairs
implementation of several U.S. wildlife
laws. Subprograms include the Wildlife
Without Borders Program and the
International Wildlife Trade.
•
[FWS
This program consists of subprograms
[10.8]
[10.3]
[9.9]
[10.1]
[12.9]
International
that address regions or specific
Conservation species. Funding is used to provide
Subprogram] technical and financial assistance to
conserve high-priority species and
habitats.
Congressional Research Service
4
•
[FWS
This program is responsible for
[8.0]
[12.7]
[15.5]
[19.0]
[13.8]
International
implementing CITES and various U.S.
Wildlife
laws to ensure the international
Trade
wildlife trade is not harmful to species.
Subprogram]
U.S. Forest
The U.S. Forest Service International
12.0
15.4
17.0
20.0
22.0
Service
Program promotes sustainable forest
International
management and biodiversity
Program
internationally. Activities include
managing protected areas, protecting
migratory species, engaging in
landscape-level forest planning,
preventing il egal logging, and
promoting forest certification.
Source: Pertinent annual appropriations laws and committee reports for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and
State and Foreign Operations and Related Agencies from FY2020 to FY2023. Congressional budget justifications for the
Department of the Interior and State and Foreign Operations for FY2024.
Note: [ ] = subset of program.
Author Information
Pervaze A. Sheikh
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
IN12171 · VERSION 1 · NEW
INSIGHTi
Foreign Assistance for International
Conservation
June 2, 2023
The United States provides foreign assistance to support the conservation of wildlife and ecosystems in
the form of financial, programmatic, and technical support to address international conservation activities.
International conservation activities include those relating to species protection, biodiversity, habitat
restoration, and forest recovery, among other issues. Several federal agencies administer these programs,
including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Some Members of Congress have demonstrated interest in international conservation, particularly with
respect to biodiversity and human rights issues, funding for foreign assistance, and oversight of U.S.
agencies administering related activities. Further, there is continued congressional interest in international
conservation treaties to which the United States is a signatory, such as the Convention on International
Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Table 1 lists selected U.S. international programs that address conservation. (This list excludes programs
primarily addressing climate change.) It includes a description of each program, as well as the enacted
funding levels for FY2020-FY2023 and the FY2024 Administration’s request. The funding in Table 1 is
for specific programs, for financial commitments to international treaties or organizations, or from a line
item in appropriations law or a committee report that identifies funding for a set of activities. This list and
funding levels are not exhaustive, as some conservation activities not included may be conducted as part
of multi-sectoral projects with a focus on objectives not limited to conservation. Other programs where
conservation may be a secondary objective may not be listed in this table.
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
IN12171
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress
Congressional Research Service
2
Table 1. Enacted Appropriations from FY2020 to FY2023 for Selected Federal Programs
That Address International Conservation and the FY2024 Request.
($ in millions)
Program
Description
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY2024
Requesta
USAID
Biodiversity conservation activities
Not less
Not less
Not less
Not less
156.4
Biodiversity
conducted by USAID aim to help
than
than
than
than
Programs
developing countries maintain
315.0
320.0
385.0
385.0
biodiversity and habitats and the
environmental services they provide.
USAID funds projects and activities in
approximately 60 countries worldwide
and emphasizes sustainable
development and community-based
conservation.
USAID/State
This category covers funding under
Not less
Not less
175.0
175.0
77.9
Wildlife
several accounts that address wildlife
than
than
(50.0 for
(50.0 for
Poaching and
trafficking. A portion of funds is
100.7
100.7
INL and
INL and
Trafficking
appropriated to in-country programs
not less
not less
Programs
in Africa and Asia, and another portion
than
than
is appropriated to the International
125.0 for
125.0 for
Narcotics Control and Law
other
other
Enforcement Program (INL) to
accounts) accounts)
develop criminal justice systems and
capabilities addressing wildlife crime in
foreign countries.
International
This funding supports commitments
7.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Conservation
under international treaties that
Programs
address conservation. Some examples
include CITES, the U.N. Convention to
Combat Desertification, the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands, the
Intergovernmental Platform for
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(IPBES), and the International Tropical
Timber Organization.
U.N.
This funding goes toward the United
10.6
10.6
10.2
10.2
10.2
Environmental
Nations Environmental Program
Programs
(UNEP), which works in themes
related to climate change, disasters,
ecosystems, environmental
governance, chemicals and waste,
resource efficiency, and sustainability.
Department of
Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a
139.6
139.6
149.3
150.2
150.2
the Treasury
multilateral environmental trust fund
Global
that supports projects with global
Environmental
environmental benefits related to six
Facility
areas: biodiversity, climate change,
international waters, the ozone layer,
land degradation, and persistent
organic pol utants.
Congressional Research Service
3
Program
Description
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY2024
Requesta
Department of
This program funds “debt-for-nature”
15.0
15.0
15.0
20.0
15.0
the Treasury
transactions, in which a developing
Tropical Forest
country partner’s debt is exchanged
and Coral Reef
for local funds to conserve tropical
Conservation
forests.
Department of
This program aims to reduce
Not less
Not less
185.0
185.0
112.0
State and USAID greenhouse gas emissions from
than
than
Sustainable
deforestation and forest degradation.
135.0
135.0
Landscapes
Programming
(also known as
Natural Climate
Solutions)
FWS
The MSCF issues grants to support
15.0
18.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
Multinational
conservation efforts benefitting certain
Species
species, including African and Asian
Conservation
elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great
Fund (MSCF)
apes, tortoises, freshwater turtles, and
marine turtles. The grants target
species and address habitat
conservation, law enforcement, and
technical assistance for conserving
species under the MSCF.
FWS
This funding provides grants for the
4.9
4.9
5.0
5.1
9.9
Neotropical
conservation of hundreds of bird
Migratory Bird
species that migrate among North and
Fund
South America and the Caribbean.
FWS
This program addresses wildlife
18.8
23.0
25.4
29.0
26.7
International
conservation, wildlife trade, and the
Affairs
implementation of several U.S. wildlife
laws. Subprograms include the Wildlife
Without Borders Program and the
International Wildlife Trade.
•
[FWS
This program consists of subprograms
[10.8]
[10.3]
[9.9]
[10.1]
[12.9]
International
that address regions or specific
Conservation species. Funding is used to provide
Subprogram] technical and financial assistance to
conserve high-priority species and
habitats.
Congressional Research Service
4
•
[FWS
This program is responsible for
[8.0]
[12.7]
[15.5]
[19.0]
[13.8]
International
implementing CITES and various U.S.
Wildlife
laws to ensure the international
Trade
wildlife trade is not harmful to species.
Subprogram]
U.S. Forest
The U.S. Forest Service International
12.0
15.4
17.0
20.0
22.0
Service
Program promotes sustainable forest
International
management and biodiversity
Program
internationally. Activities include
managing protected areas, protecting
migratory species, engaging in
landscape-level forest planning,
preventing il egal logging, and
promoting forest certification.
Source: Pertinent annual appropriations laws and committee reports for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and
State and Foreign Operations and Related Agencies from FY2020 to FY2023. Congressional budget justifications for the
Department of the Interior and State and Foreign Operations for FY2024.
Note: [ ] = subset of program.
Author Information
Pervaze A. Sheikh
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
IN12171 · VERSION 1 · NEW