Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act would expand federal conservation funding to help farmers, ranchers, and private landowners create and maintain wildlife migration corridors on their land. The bill would invest in existing USDA conservation programs to support voluntary efforts such as wildlife-friendly fencing and other practices that allow big game species like elk, deer, and moose to safely migrate across private working lands. The legislation aims to address habitat fragmentation, which can prevent wildlife from moving between areas to find food, shelter, and adapt to climate change.

The bill would provide federal payments to cover costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, and maintenance of habitat connectivity projects on eligible land. Participation would be voluntary, and landowners would not be eligible for duplicate payments from multiple federal programs for the same practice. The legislation would also encourage the use of newer conservation methods such as virtual fencing to manage livestock distribution while maintaining habitat corridors. If enacted, the bill could help hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists by supporting wildlife populations that depend on connected habitats across the West and other regions.