Lone menhaden-Credit Chesapeake Bay Program-800 pix
Do you have any thoughts on this post?
TRCP Applauds USDA Opening CRP Enrollment
Landowners can now enroll in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program, a unique opportunity to enhance habitat and water quality.
The United States Department of Agriculture announced on May 12th that enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP, is now open.
First introduced in the 1985 Farm Bill, the CRP provides incentives and rental payments to landowners who choose to put a portion of their land into conservation cover, particularly on acres that would be more productive as wildlife habitat than they are for crops, as well as in other key locations for water quality or wildlife habitat. This gives landowners an opportunity to devote their land to its fullest potential without sacrificing their bottom line and provides multiple ecological benefits to all Americans.
“With 1.8 million acres available for all CRP enrollment this fiscal year, we are very aware that we are bumping up against the 27-million-acre statutory cap,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Now more than ever, it’s important that the acres offered by landowners and those approved by USDA address our most critical natural resource concerns. With the limited number of acres that we have available, we’re not necessarily looking for the most acres offered but instead prioritizing mindful conservation efforts to ensure we maximize the return on our investment from both a conservation and economic perspective.”
“In farm country nationwide, the CRP is synonymous with habitat” said Aaron Field, TRCP’s director of private lands conservation. “The CRP’s ability to create and enhance habitat while improving water quality makes it one of the most important federal programs for both hunters and anglers. It’s great to see USDA recognize the value of this program by prioritizing this signup.”
Many of the species we love to pursue find habitat in farm country thanks to the CRP. Without the CRP, pheasant numbers would plummet, the northern plains states would lose much of their duck breeding habitat, sage grouse in the West would be at even greater risk, and brook trout would decline in Eastern headwaters. Put simply, without the CRP, millions of sportsmen and women would lose hunting and fishing opportunities across rural America.
Learn more about the Conservation Reserve Program here, and if you are a landowner interested in enrolling, find your nearest USDA Service Center here.
Learn more about Farm Bill Conservation Programs here
TRCP Launches Video Series on Private Land Conservation and Hunting in the Mississippi River Delta
Series highlights hunting culture and benefits of Farm Bill programs
In January 2025, TRCP traveled to the Mississippi River Delta to talk with land manager Alex Harvey, founder of Legacy Land Management, about the hunting traditions of the region as well as his work to enhance the wildlife values of private property by implementing conservation measures with support from United States Department of Agriculture programs included in the Farm Bill.
“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.
Hunters and Anglers Unite to Push for Stronger Wildlife and Infrastructure Policies in Upcoming Transportation Bill
Hunters, anglers, and conservationists present a united front to advocate for wildlife-friendly, resilient infrastructure in the next national transportation bill
As Congress begins shaping the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, the nation’s leading hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations, which represent millions of Americans, are proud to unveil a united platform: “Hunt and Fish Priorities for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill.”
The Surface Transportation bill represents an opportunity to advance several priorities for the broader sporting community ranging from enhanced public access and wildlife connectivity. The platform acknowledges these opportunities and builds upon recent bipartisan support for integrating wildlife connectivity and habitat restoration efforts into surface transportation programming to achieve common sense co-benefits including increasing motorist safety, reducing travel delays, enhancing the structural integrity of the nation’s transportation infrastructure, and creating good paying jobs.
Millions of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts across the country depend on healthy habitat and accessible public lands and waters and the hunting and fishing community strongly support initiatives that integrate wildlife connectivity, habitat restoration, and disaster resilience into the nation’s transportation framework.
“Conservation is infrastructure, and our platform provides commonsense recommendations further integrating the two for the benefit of all Americans,” said Alex Funk, TRCP’s director of water resources. “Investing in wildlife crossings, culvert upgrades, and climate-resilient roads makes travel safer for people and animals—and it protects the places we love to hunt and fish. We’re eager to work with Congress to advance these commonsense recommendations.”
“Congress provided great leadership to hunters and fishers in the last transportation bill by addressing wildlife vehicle collisions, wildlife crossings, fish passage, sport fish restoration, boating, and other needs,” said Mike Leahy, senior director of wildlife, hunting, and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “We look forward to working with this Congress to renew and build on those achievements in the upcoming transportation bill.”
Public support is overwhelming. Recent polling shows that Americans from all backgrounds and political affiliations back investments in habitat restoration and wildlife connectivity to protect both people and wildlife.
The upcoming surface transportation bill reauthorization presents a rare opportunity to double down on smart, forward-thinking investments. The platform ensures transportation planning works with the sporting community’s values and priorities – not against them.
Read the Hunt and Fish Priorities for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill 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.
TRCP Applauds Bipartisan Public Land Caucus
Representatives Zinke and Vasquez announce public land caucus to maintain America’s outdoor legacy.
Today, hunters, anglers, conservationists, and all Americans who value our nation’s public lands celebrate the announcement of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus led by Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) and co-chaired by Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).
“On both sides of the aisle, Americans cherish our public lands,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “From the Northern Rockies of Montana to the Gila Mountains of New Mexico, these lands and waters provide invaluable opportunities to millions of hunters and anglers. The voices of this bipartisan Public Lands Caucus are now more important than ever, and we join our nation’s sportsmen and women in thanking Representatives Zinke and Vasquez for their leadership to safeguard America’s outdoor legacy.”
The bipartisan Public Lands Caucus will provide a Bully Pulpit—a term coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, a staunch advocate for public lands—for members to speak on issues important to preserving our country’s public land legacy with support from their colleagues.
America’s 640 million acres of national public lands—including our National Forests and Bureau of Land Management lands—are the setting for irreplaceable hunting and fishing access to millions of Americans. Many of the best trout and salmon rivers originate on federal lands, and these public landscapes provide intact habitat that is essential for the long-term survival of big game species. Federally managed public lands are the backbone of America’s outdoor recreation industry, which contributed $639.5 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product in 2023.
A May 6 vote by the House Natural Resources Committee during the budget reconciliation process passed a late-night amendment to sell some public land in Nevada and Utah. Already this year, more than 6,000 hunters and anglers have sent letters to Congress urging lawmakers to keep land sales out of reconciliation.
“There are well-established criteria and processes for disposing of public lands, and reconciliation legislation is not the proper venue for such decisions,” said Pedersen. “Any proposed sale of public lands must involve a transparent public process, all transactions should serve the public interest, and proceeds should be reinvested in new public land access and habitat conservation. TRCP looks forward to working with the Caucus to ensure any land sales are supported by the sporting community.”
Learn more about proactive legislation led by Representatives Zinke and Vasquez that would require congressional approval for the sale or transfer of most federal lands HERE.
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.
Learn More
You have Successfully Subscribed!
