After advancing through committees and passing the House of Representatives with enormous support, this legislation is an important step toward reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions in Montana. On top of establishing an account, this legislation will result in a new state license plate that could generate $160k annually. The account could also receive funds from other sources to increase the amount available annually.
Throughout the West, wildlife accommodation infrastructure—including fencing, overpasses, and underpasses—has supported wildlife movement across highways while making our roads safer for motorists. Montana’s high rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions poses a significant threat to public safety and the conservation of big game.
Sponsored by Representative Katie Zolnikov (R-Billings), this legislation will establish the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, which will house funding to be used on wildlife accommodation infrastructure in Montana.
“By establishing the Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, Montana is making a commitment to increasing public safety on Montana’s roadways while conserving wildlife,” said Ryan Chapin, Montana field manager at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We join the Treasure State’s motorists and hunters and anglers in thanking Representative Zolnikov for her leadership on this bill and the legislature for swiftly advancing this life-saving legislation.”
Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to wildlife migration conservation HERE.
TRCP Applauds Senate Introduction of Bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act
New legislation seeks to accelerate forest management and restoration, improve wildfire resilience, and enhance collaboration and innovative management strategies.
Today, the bipartisan Fix our Forests Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Sheehy (R-Mont.), Curtis (R-Utah), Padilla (D-Calif.) and Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). A similar version of the bill passed through the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year with broad bipartisan support. The legislation introduced in the Senate would direct federal agencies to develop new and innovative technologies to address forest health threats, suppress and manage fire more efficiently, and increase the pace and scale of restoration across our forests and watersheds. In addition, the bill would make communities more resilient to wildfire by establishing a Community Risk Reduction Program and improving existing grant programs while also furthering new research.
“The declining health of our National Forests and the fish and wildlife habitat that they provide is a concern for America’s hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP applauds the leadership of Senators Curtis, Sheehy, Hickenlooper, and Padilla for introducing the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act in the Senate and urges Congress to advance these important forest management provisions and to accompany them with adequate resources and capacity to carry out on-the-ground work.”
In 2024 alone, wildlifes caused more than 8.9 million acres to be burned across the country. The Fix Our Forests Act seeks to provide more arrows in the quiver to help take aim at this challenge through a multitude of solutions. One such policy solution, included in the bill and led by TRCP, would formally recognize the wildfire risk reduction benefits associated with restoration of riparian and wetland habitat, the first such recognition in federal statute. Other provisions of the Fix Our Forests Act will help TRCP partners and other land managers increase forest health and resilience to benefit water resources, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation and the local communities that depend on them.
“The Fix Our Forests Act streamlines collaboration between the National Wild Turkey Federation, the USDA Forest Service, and other partners, cutting red tape to accelerate urgent forest restoration and management on federal lands,” said Matt Lindler, NWTF Director of Government Affairs. “This bill ensures we can better manage and conserve vital natural resources for wildlife, hunters and anglers. We are grateful to see the Senate introduce this critical piece of legislation and await the signature from the president.”
“The health of our nation’s forests is dependent on the rivers, streams, and wetlands that sustain them. Actively conserving and restoring these critical aquatic resources is an important tool that can be used to mitigate the impacts of wildfire and drought, among other threats,” said Alicia Marrs, director of western water for the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re encouraged to see language in the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act that recognizes the wildfire benefits of aquatic restoration. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders from both sides of the aisle to elevate these common sense and cost-effective approaches to forest and water management for all Americans.”
Top photo credit: Dr. Emily Fairfax
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Media outlets have recently reported that some lawmakers are considering the sale of some public lands to help pay for a budget reconciliation bill.
Now is the time for you to reach out to your elected officials in Congress and urge them to oppose public land sales in federal reconciliation legislation.
“America’s public lands are invaluable in providing recreational access to millions of American hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP is opposed to selling off the public’s favorite hunting and fishing spots and we urge Congress to keep public land sales out of federal reconciliation legislation.”
Click the button below to complete our easy-to-use action alert to contact your Senators and Representatives.
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Thank you for your commitment to our public land legacy.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
This bill marks an important step toward reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions in the state. Throughout the West, wildlife accommodation infrastructure—including fencing, overpasses, and underpasses—has supported wildlife movement across highways while making our roads safer for motorists. Montana’s high rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions poses a significant threat to public safety and the conservation of big game.
Sponsored by Representative Katie Zolnikov (R-Billings), this bill would establish the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, which would house funding to be used on wildlife accommodation infrastructure in Montana.
“House Bill 855 represents a vital step in increasing public safety on Montana’s roadways while supporting wildlife movement,” said Ryan Chapin, Montana field manager at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We appreciate the strong support in the House and encourage the Senate to pass this important legislation that is a win-win for Montanans and the big game we value.”
Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to wildlife migration conservation HERE.
Big wins for public land and conservation were the theme of 2025
Wyoming’s 2025 legislative session ended in early March, and thanks to hunters and anglers like you, we can count several wins for wildlife and the future of our great state!
Wyomingites Stop Anti-Public Lands Legislation!
Senate Resolution 2 – Resolution demanding equal footing ordered the transfer of federal land to the state, which could have compromised wildlife habitat management and public hunting and fishing access in Wyoming. Transferring federal public lands to state ownership would put the land at risk of development, fragmentation, or sale to private interests. SJ2 died on third reading in the Senate.
House Bill 118 – Limitations on net land gain for the federal government would have prohibited net increases of federal land in Wyoming, including voluntary sales by private landowners like the Marton Ranch and historic sales between state and federal agencies like the recent Kelly Parcel sale. The $100 million sale of the Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park conserved 640 acres of valuable wildlife habitat nestled between the park and Bridger-Teton National Forest.
The TRCP supported this monumental deal because it safeguarded crucial migration corridors, retained elk and bison hunting, and generated a windfall of revenue for Wyoming’s public education system. Without this sale, the land could have been auctioned to developers—a fate avoided thanks to overwhelming public support and private donations. Read more about the Kelly Parcel in this recent blog.
Finally, House Bill 118 would have impeded the State’s ability to pursue future land exchanges that could be a net benefit to the State of Wyoming and sportspeople. This bill passed the House of Representatives but did not meet the deadline to be introduced in the Senate.
Senate File 105 – Preserving state territorial sovereignty would have prohibited the sale of private land to the federal government without legislative approval, hindering opportunities to improve access to public lands, and a clear violation of private property rights.
Due to an uproar of public opposition, all three of these anti-public land bills failed to pass during this legislative session. It’s clear Wyomingites place great value on the places we hunt and fish and are willing to speak up for these places so future generations can enjoy.
Alex Aguirre, TRCP’s Wyoming Community Partnerships Coordinator, speaks during the Camo at the Capital event.
Large Projects Funding Passed!
This annual legislation authorizes the Wildlife Trust to allocate matching funds to leverage important conservation projects across the state. This year’s projects include $6.1 million towards highway crossing structures along highway 189 near Kemmerer to ensure the safety of motorists and migrating wildlife and $550,000 to restore four miles of the North Fork of the Shoshone River to improve spawning conditions for trout and adjacent wetland habitat for wildlife.
Wildlife License Plates Easier to Acquire Thanks to SF0149
The Wildlife Conservation License Plate, launched in 2019, has raised nearly $1 million with an additional $1.8 million of donations for wildlife crossing projects in Wyoming. With more than 8,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions occurring in our state annually, this funding aims to reduce these occurrences by building infrastructure to ensure the safety of both people and wildlife. SF0149 will make purchasing these plates easier by allowing the transaction to happen at the county treasurer’s office instead of solely through the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Buy your plate here!
Camo at the Capitol
On February 13, we joined other sporting partners and over 70 sportsmen and sportswomen for Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s annual Camo at the Capitol.
The day included advocacy training, a tour of the capitol, a press conference, and concluded with a wild game reception attended by Governor Gordon and many other lawmakers. We want to thank all those who attended and our partner organizations in conservation for making the event a success. We hope to see YOU there next year!
Thanks for Entering the Arena of Conservation
While this session delivered wins for large conservation projects funding and a streamlined process for funding highway crossings infrastructure, we were also faced with multiple threats to our public land legacy. We thank our dedicated supporters for entering the arena of conservation and advocating for our issues. Wyoming is one small town and every voice matters. Thank you for using yours.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
TRCP has partnered with Afuera Coffee Co. to further our commitment to conservation. $4 from each bag is donated to the TRCP, to help continue our efforts of safeguarding critical habitats, productive hunting grounds, and favorite fishing holes for future generations.
