“If a landowner is able to make conservation improvements on their property, they will likely be able to utilize it more,” Harvey explains. “Better conservation practices mean more rabbits, ducks, and deer. More animals means better hunting, and that means the landowner and their family will spend more time hunting there.”
Find the full series below or watch the full playlist on YouTube HERE.
The Land Manager
Harvey speaks about the elemental and communal aspects of hunting and how his own upbringing in the world of hunting and fishing led to his career in forestry. He now uses his expertise to help landowners utilize voluntary programs in the Farm Bill to enhance the wildlife qualities of their properties.
The Complex Wildlife Challenges of the Mississippi River Delta
Harvey identifies some of the complex wildlife challenges of the Mississippi River Delta, and the opportunities for restoration to increase the habitat values of the Delta.
The Importance of Private Land Conservation
Wildlife doesn’t recognize the boundaries between private and public land, so good habitat management across property lines means better hunting and fishing for all. Harvey discusses how deliberate land management creates a sense of connection and identity with people and the land.
Farm Bill Programs and Benefits
Harvey discusses the process of working with landowners and the programs included in the Farm Bill, such as EQUIP and Conservation Stewardship, that benefit and support private land conservation in the Mississippi River Delta.
The African American Hunting Tradition of the Mississippi River Delta
Harvey discusses the rich African American hunting tradition of the Mississippi River Delta, a culture that he is a part of, and the importance of private land hunting opportunities in the Delta.
Watch the full YouTube playlist of this video series HERE.
Read TRCP’s duck hunting and Farm Bill blog on Split Reed.
Wildlife for the 21st Century: A Policy Briefing to Safeguard Our Outdoor Heritage
On March 25, 2025, TRCP joined conservation leaders and policymakers for a crucial briefing on the most pressing challenges in wildlife conservation and outdoor access
Every four years, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a coalition of 52 leading hunting and wildlife conservation organizations, releases Wildlife for the 21st Century (W-21)—a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at ensuring a thriving future for America’s wildlife and outdoor traditions. These recommendations serve as a guiding framework for policymakers, addressing the most pressing challenges in wildlife conservation and outdoor access while offering actionable solutions.
A Blueprint for the Future of Conservation
The latest edition, Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume VII, represents over a year of dedicated work by AWCP partners. It identifies strategic opportunities to enhance wildlife conservation, sustain public access to natural spaces, and protect America’s cherished outdoor traditions. The document is designed to help policymakers make informed decisions that will shape the conservation landscape for the next four years. You can access Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume VIIHERE
A Critical Briefing on Capitol Hill
On March 25, 2025, TRCP joined key conservation leaders and policymakers in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for a crucial briefing on W-21. Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and sponsored by leading conservation organizations—including the Boone and Crockett Club, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants/Quail Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Wildlife Mississippi—the event provided a platform to discuss and advocate for the commonsense recommendations outlined in W-21.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation for hosting this important event and to all the sponsoring organizations and attendees for their unwavering commitment to conservation,” said Joel Webster, chief conservation officer at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and vice chair of AWCP. “By working together, we can ensure that America’s lands, waters, and wildlife continue to thrive for the benefit of hunters, anglers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts nationwide.”
The briefing featured insights from some of the foremost voices in conservation policy and highlighted critical policy priorities, focusing on how sportsmen and women, conservationists, and policymakers can work together to ensure healthy wildlife populations, protect vital habitats, and promote responsible land and water stewardship across the nation.
The Wildlife for the 21st Century policy recommendations serve as a vital tool for shaping the future of wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation in the United States. As we move forward, it is essential that decision-makers embrace these strategies to safeguard our nation’s rich outdoor heritage for generations to come.
You can find a copy of Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume 7 HERE.
Top photo by USDA
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.
New Legislation Aims to Codify Highly Successful USDA Migratory Big Game Initiative
The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act is aimed at expanding voluntary efforts to enhance wildlife habitat connectivity on private and working lands.
This week, Congressmen Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) and Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) introduced the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act. This bill would expand voluntary efforts to improve wildlife habitat, including big game habitat, on working lands.
The MBGI partnership has been both innovative and highly successful. In Wyoming, enrollment in conservation programs in priority corridors increased by 264% compared to before the partnership. However, the USDA is unlikely to expand this model nationwide unless the Farm Bill is updated as proposed in this legislation.
In addition, the bill will spur USDA research on virtual fencing technologies, which allow for greater wildlife movement and animal safety on livestock operations. It also provides additional incentives through EQIP for the adoption of conservation practices that conserve or restore wildlife habitat connectivity.
“Working lands provide key habitats for migratory wildlife, including big game like elk, mule deer, and pronghorn,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “USDA’s voluntary conservation programs need to work together to support farmers, ranchers, and other producers who create and enhance this habitat. The next Farm Bill is our opportunity to make that happen. The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act removes unnecessary barriers to support conservation on private land that will improve habitat conditions for big game and other migrating wildlife. The TRCP thanks Congressmen Vasquez and Zinke for their leadership on this bill and urges its inclusion in the Farm Bill.”
TRCP is excited about the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act because it helps complement successful public land corridor conservation efforts with the long track record of voluntary, incentive-based conservation on private land promoted through the Farm Bill. We appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Vasquez and Zinke and hope to see this common-sense bill included in the next Farm Bill as it is a clear win-win for agricultural producers and wildlife.
Learn more about Farm Bill conservation programs HERE
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.
Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act Introduced in the Senate and House
Lawmakers have introduced the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act to boost a crucial Farm Bill program that creates public hunting and fishing opportunities on private land.
The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025 has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Senator Marshall (R-Kan.) and in the House of Representatives by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). This bipartisan, bicameral bill would strengthen one of the most critical Farm Bill programs for America’s hunters and anglers: the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). VPA-HIP is the only federal initiative that helps to create public hunting and fishing opportunities on private land and this new legislation reauthorizes the program at triple its prior funding level. This reinforces the full Farm Bill that House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson’s (R-Pa.) introduced last Congress, which proposed a similar funding increase to this critical program. Bipartisan, bicameral bills like this are rare and show the value of this program to leaders across the political spectrum.
“State-led access programs are hurting this year without support from VPA-HIP, and including the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act in a 2025 farm bill would be a major positive development for hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We are thrilled to see such an influential, bipartisan group of leaders recognize the importance of increased hunting and fishing access by introducing this legislation. Thank you, Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson, for your leadership and support.”
The legislation would invest $150 million over the next five years in the VPA-HIP, which provides grants to states and Tribes to be implemented at the local level. This increased investment was among the recommendations made by TRCP’s Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group in its Farm Bill platform and has been echoed by groups across the hunting and fishing community.
What they are saying:
“On behalf of the nation’s recreational fishing industry, the American Sportfishing Association thanks Senators Daines, Marshall, and Bennet, as well as Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “This legislation will support and enable landowners to provide fishing access on private lands, opening valuable waters to anglers. The reauthorization and expansion of VPA-HIP will strengthen a program that has allowed access to private lands since 2008, creating memorable days on the water for America’s anglers.”
“We greatly appreciate Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson introducing the House version of the VPA Improvement Act. As we entered discussions of the 2023 Farm Bill, extending and expanding the impact of VPA-HIP was one of Delta’s highest priorities,” said John Devney, chief policy officer at Delta Waterfowl. “As duck hunters across the country look for additional access, increased investments in VPA HIP can lead to new partnerships with private landowners to enhance habitat and also provide access. We hope that the effort by these leaders will lead to a broader bi-partisan effort to include an expanded VPA-HIP in the final Farm Bill.”
“There are dozens of state programs throughout country that help open public hunting access on private lands, but one common thread is that VPA-HIP is the unsung hero that makes much of that access possible,” said Ariel Wiegard, vice president of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “The economic returns for rural communities in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over, and increasing funding for the program is one of our top priorities in the next farm bill. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership and support for this very successful program.”
“Hunting access is one of the most significant barriers for both new and experienced hunters,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited managing director of federal affairs. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act is a win-win for sportsmen and landowners, and we thank Sens. Daines, Bennet, Marshall for leading this bipartisan effort in the Senate, as well as Reps. Dingell and Johnson for their leadership in the House.”
“We are proud to support Representative Dingell’s, and Representative Johnson and Senator Daines’, reintroduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” said Nick Pinizzotto, president and CEO of the National Deer Association. “Reauthorizing and strengthening the Act will ensure that landowners and sportsmen alike can continue to benefit from sustainable wildlife management and habitat preservation for generations to come.”
VPA-HIP is the single best federal tool for increasing recreational access on private lands by helping states create innovative ways of incentivizing private landowners to open their lands to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. It also has a very special place in the hearts of TRCP’s staff and supporters, as it was championed by our inspirational co-founder, Jim Range, before his untimely death. The program was established and funded through the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills—most recently at $50 million over five years—with its impacts felt across the country.
Apart from creating more outdoor recreation access, VPA-HIP funding is also utilized to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners for wildlife habitat improvement and enhancement projects. It is often layered with other Farm Bill programs that have habitat benefits, such as Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Easements. And the program allows states to address liability, alleviating a roadblock for many landowners to open their lands to the public.
Studies estimate that the VPA-HIP has a more than eight-to-one return on investment in the form of outdoor recreation spending in rural communities.
Watch a video about some of the many benefits of VPA-HIP below.
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 the 119th Congress Can Deliver for Hunters and Anglers
How lawmakers can build on recent conservation successes and deliver big wins for the hunting and fishing community
The 118th Congress was productive for hunters, anglers, and the TRCP community. Alongside our partners, we celebrated the passage of the EXPLORE Act, America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, and the Water Resources Development Act which all contained important provisions for habitat conservation and access, but there is still work to be done.
The 119th Congress officially began on January 3, 2025. Amid the uncertainty of navigating a presidential transition, new leadership in the Senate, and fresh faces sitting atop numerous committees, Congress has the potential to deliver big wins for fish and wildlife, habitat conservation, and hunting, fishing, and recreational access.
Below are a few ways the 119th Congress can advance conservation and access:
Pass a Farm Bill
Yet another Farm Bill expiration deadline came and went in late 2024 without a new bill being signed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is still operating on the 2018 Farm Bill, leaving big opportunities on the table to expand support for voluntary access and habitat conservation programs on private lands. As Agriculture Committees return to work with new leadership, the TRCP will be pushing for a Farm Bill that supports wildlife, habitat, and hunters and anglers across the country.
Among the most impactful things that this Congress can do to bolster conservation and access is to invest Inflation Reduction Act funds into the Farm Bill baseline, making them permanent. Failure to do so would wipe out billions of dollars that go directly to farmers and ranchers through these popular, voluntary programs. The good news is there was bipartisan support last Congress among leadership of Agriculture Committees to roll these funds into the Farm Bill baseline.
Unlock More Access Opportunities for Hunters and Anglers
Photo James Wicks
Hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists had plenty to cheer about in the 118th Congress with the passage of the EXPLORE Act, a first of its kind recreation-focused legislative package. However, Congress still has work to do in the 119th to unlock more access opportunities on federal waterways and oceans.
Here are a few ways Congress can do this:
Pass the MAPWaters Act. The MAPWaters Act would require federal land management agencies to digitize water and fishing access and recreational use information on federal waterways and make those resources available to the public. The bill passed both the House and Senate last Congress on sweeping bipartisan margins, but minor differences in the two bills meant that the bill ultimately failed to cross the finish line in the 118th Congress.
Pass the MAPOceans Act. Like the MAPWaters Act, the MAPOceans Act would require NOAA to create a publicly accessible database that outlines fishing restrictions and closures, boating restrictions and closures, and allowable methods of take in federal waters.
Reauthorize the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund. Established by the Great American Outdoors Act, the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund is set to expire. This fund provides federal land management agencies with resources to address the backlog of deferred maintenance projects. Congress should act to reauthorize this important source of funding to restore and expand access opportunities on public lands.
Given the demonstrated, broad support, the 119th Congress should move quickly to send these common-sense bills to the President’s desk.
Streamline Permitting for Restoration Projects
Photo by J. M. Villarreal/USDA
Despite a compromise deal emerging from the Senate, the 118th Congress ultimately failed to pass a comprehensive permitting reform legislative package. Permitting reform talks have largely focused on expediting environmental review for energy and transmission projects, but Congress must also address the issue of overly cumbersome and excessive delays on approving ecosystem restoration and other environmentally beneficial projects. Currently, these projects go through the same approval process as other development and infrastructure projects, which creates unnecessary hurdles and complicates on-the-ground habitat restoration work. These projects help support recreational access and sustain the $1.1 trillion annual outdoor economy.
TRCP worked with our partners to develop common-sense recommendations to cut through the “green tape” that delays conservation and restoration projects. By developing a categorical exclusion specific to the Department of Interior for restoration actions and simplifying, and scaling, mitigation as a component of permitting, Congress can help get more conservation and restoration work on the ground and reduce the amount of money spent on environmental analysis without diminishing protections under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other bedrock environmental statutes.
Conserve Big Game Migration Corridors
The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act, introduced in the 118th Congress, would formally authorize existing federal programs initiated by the Department of the Interior during the Trump Administration through Secretarial Order 3362, signed by then-Secretary Ryan Zinke, to conserve big game migration corridors through voluntary financial and technical assistance to states, Tribes, and private landowners.
These programs have been supported and expanded by the Biden Administration but remain discretionary, meaning that they rely on federal agencies setting aside funding each year to continue implementing these programs. Congressional action to formalize these discretionary programs would guarantee that the work persists regardless of administration changes. This is important because the annual budgets of state and Tribal wildlife agencies are unable to meet the full demand for resource management. The financial and technical assistance from these federal programs would help to bridge that funding gap.
The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act gained momentum in the 118th Congress having hearings in both the House and Senate which presents a strong jumping off point for swift consideration in the 119th Congress. Passing this bill would represent the culmination of nearly a decade of work by the hunting and fishing community while building upon the success of existing big game habitat conservation efforts.
Support Wildlife Habitat Connectivity and Public Access in the Highway Bill
Photo by Colorado Department of Transportation.
Congress passed a comprehensive surface transportation and infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), in 2021. The IIJA included numerous conservation investments championed by TRCP and our partners including generational investments in wildlife crossing infrastructure, fish passage, public land access, and natural infrastructure solutions. Many of these programs funded under the IIJA are set to expire in fiscal year 2026, handing the 119th Congress an opportunity to build on the success of these programs that benefit fish and wildlife habitat, reduce costs, create jobs, and enhance public safety.
For example, the IIJA allocated $350 million to the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, a first-of-its-kind grant program to construct wildlife-friendly roadway infrastructure to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity for big game and other wildlife. IIJA has also provided investments in aquatic connectivity, which have addressed barriers to fish passage and improved aquatic habitat and have similarly spurred innovation and collaboration across numerous federal and state agencies and other partners and should be prioritized in a surface transportation bill.
Simply put, the Wildlife Crossings Pilot is successful partnership-based program that leverages expertise and funds across numerous federal and state departments and Congress should seek to permanently authorize this program and allocate additional funds to better meet demand.
The 119th Congress should also seek to enhance access opportunities for hunters, anglers, and recreationists through a surface transportation bill. Despite a surface transportation reauthorization bill being colloquially called a “Highway Bill,” there’s an opportunity to improve access to remote, rural public lands through partnerships with counties. Congress could establish a pilot program to make grants available to counties to digitize records and make information publicly available on the location and status of county-maintained roads.
Develop Tax Policy Updates that Fund Conservation
Photo by seth schulte on Unsplash
Republican leadership in the House and Senate are widely expected to prioritize a broad tax reform package in 2025. This provides an opportunity for the 119th Congress to close tax loopholes that divert funds away from conservation.
The rise of online marketplaces that facilitate direct-to-consumer sales from overseas manufacturers has created a growing loophole that is undermining the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The federal excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment established under Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson is not being collected on foreign-made fishing tackle and archery equipment sold direct from overseas to U.S. consumers, and online marketplaces are not currently responsible for collecting the excise tax on archery and fishing tackle imports. Any comprehensive legislative package on tax policy must close this loophole that accounts for an estimated annual loss of $17 million dollars that would otherwise go to fund state fish and wildlife management agencies.
Conservation is, and should be, a shared priority regardless of party affiliation or ideology. Congress needs to hear that conservation is important to you. For more information, and to take action in support of critical conservation priorities in the year ahead, visit the TRCP Action Center.
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.
