And now back to our regularly scheduled program!
This article is older, nicely lays out the reasons for the shortfall of conservation funding in the US. Fits well with the OP's article.
https://www.npr....The article has an unfortunate political slant. There are many references to percentages and fifty years ago, which of course there are now nearly double the bodies within the US borders, and mushrooming at an undocumented rate.
A policy making trend has emerged, where P-R act funds 'revert' to the fedgov as unobligated funds, approximately fifty(!) percent in recent years. The state level programs that are funded, require approval from, you know who. Many 'bird watching' lobbyists are controlling sportsmans funds that trickle back to states, for nonhunting 'projects'. Another tactic, is that funds are allocated based on land area, but large land mass states such as Alaska, are unable to meet requirements to receive full funding, so allocations favor states such as California with their fire management and conservation plans.
