Grasslands Conservation Act introduced in Congress
U.S. representatives from both sides of the isle introduced the North American Grasslands conservation act, which, if passed by Congress, would create an incentive based fund to sustain and restore grasslands ecosystems across the United States. The proposed Grasslands Conservation act is designed to mirror the North American Waterfowl Conservation act of 1989 which used voluntary funding to conserve over 30,000,000 acres of wetlands.
America’s grasslands have been called our most imperiled landscape. Fewer than 40% of the estimated 550,000,000 acres of grasslands remain. Most of those grasslands are fragmented or compromised by invasive species and the constantly expanding agricultural needs of the nation. In the Canadian and American portions of the great planes estimated 1,900,000 acres of grasslands were converted to crops in 2022 alone. (Outdoor Life – https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/national-grasslands-act-introduced/)
The grassland act seeks to help slow the decline of grassland ecosystems and reverse the loss of native grasslands. “The North American Grasslands Conservation Act is a pivotal step towards ensuring the sustainability of our grasslands. By supporting this act, we are not only protecting vital habitats for mule deer and other wildlife but also bolstering the livelihoods of ranchers and farmers who depend on these lands. This legislation embodies a collaborative approach to conservation that benefits both nature and people.” — Mule Deer Foundation Private Lands Conservation Team
The proposed Grasslands Conservation act would authorize the creation of a competitive grant mechanism provide funding to multiple groups and organizations for voluntary conservation projects, including, but not limited to:
- grassland management
- controlling, invasive species
- prescribed fire
- restoration of remnant grasslands
- grassland easements
The next step for the North American Grasslands Conservation act is being referred to the House Natural Resources Committee for consideration. The grasslands remain a staple of mule deer habitat, and our one of several mule deer habitats currently under threat. While this introduction is certainly a monumental step for the Great Plains, there is a long road ahead for the Grasslands Conservation Act. Our experts at MDF predict this will need to be reintroduced in the next congress with some edits before we have the opportunity to see action on these items.
About the Mule Deer Foundation:
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to conserving mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat. MDF is a strong voice for hunters, wildlife management, and conservation policy issues. To join MDF and get involved in your state go to https://muledeer.org or call 1-801-973-3940.
