In the late 1980s , as the public became dissatisfied with government environmental conservation efforts , people began supporting private sector conservation efforts which included several non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) . Seeing this rise in support for NGOs , the U.S. Congress made amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act in 1979 and 1986 “ earmarking U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) funds for biodiversity ” . From 1990 till now , environmental conservation NGOs have become increasingly more focused on the political and economic impact of USAID funds dispersed for preserving the environment and its natural resources . After the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the start of former President Bush 's War on Terror , maintaining and improving the quality of the environment and its natural resources became a “ priority ” to “ prevent international tensions ” according to the Legislation on Foreign Relations Through 2002 and section 117 of the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act
9/11
September 11 attacks
Wildlife conservation