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.