Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2025

S 2128: MONARCH Act of 2025

S 2128, the MONARCH Act of 2025, establishes a $12.5 million annual fund to support conservation efforts for the western monarch butterfly, which has declined by over 99% in 30 years and faces imminent extinction. The bill creates a grant program providing funding for projects led by local governments, tribal entities, or nonprofits - focusing on restoring milkweed, nectar plants, and habitat across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Grants require project proposals demonstrating clear potential to aid monarch recovery, with mandatory reporting to the public and state legislatures on progress. The law also mandates annual reports to Congress on project outcomes and the implementation of a conservation plan developed by wildlife agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $12.5M annual conservation for western monarch butterfly habitat restoration, addressing 99% population decline via milkweed/nectar projects across 7 states.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 135: Manatee Protection Act of 2025

The Manatee Protection Act of 2025 would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to officially list the West Indian manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This designation would subject the manatee to all federal protections and regulations, including restrictions on activities harming the animals or their critical habitat. The bill directly affects the manatee population and activities in their environment, such as boating, coastal development, and waterway management, which would now require federal permits to avoid harming the species. It mandates a formal listing under existing law rather than creating new protections, ensuring the manatee is legally recognized as endangered for conservation enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires ESA listing for manatees, triggering federal protections and habitat restrictions to conserve species, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 1319: Pecos Watershed Protection Act

S 1319, the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, withdraws approximately 11,599 acres of federal land in New Mexico's Pecos Watershed from mineral exploration and development, while designating it as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill prohibits new mining claims, mineral leasing, and land disposal on this land, preserving it for wilderness conservation. Existing grazing rights and wildfire management activities are maintained under the Wilderness Act, and the designation does not create buffer zones or restrict non-wilderness activities outside the area. This directly affects federal land management practices and future mineral development opportunities in the designated wilderness area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 11,599 acres from mining, designates as wilderness, prohibits mineral development, preserving watershed ecosystem and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1854: Climate Agricultural Conservation Practices Act

Climate Agricultural Conservation Practices Act This bill requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to consider climate benefits in reviews or revisions of its conservation practice standards. Climate benefits include a reduction in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, an increase in carbon sequestration, or mitigation against (or adaptation to) increased weather volatility. As background, NRCS administers most of the Department of Agriculture conservation programs, which assist producers and landowners who wish to practice conservation on agricultural lands. The NRCS conservation practice standards provide guidance and set out minimum quality criteria for implementing federally funded conservation practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires NRCS to consider climate benefits including reduced emissions and carbon sequestration in conservation programs, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Tags Agriculture

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passed · United States · Senate May 8, 2025

SRES 211: A resolution designating May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day".

This Senate resolution (SRES 211) symbolically designates May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day" to raise public awareness about migratory birds. It highlights the ecological and economic importance of migratory birds - such as their role in pest control, pollination, and contributing $279 billion annually to the U.S. economy through birdwatching. The resolution encourages Americans to support bird conservation through education and community engagement, aligning with the 2025 theme of creating "bird-friendly cities and communities." As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally recognizes an annual global observance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentResolution designates World Migratory Bird Day to raise awareness about bird conservation, highlighting ecological/economic benefits and encouraging conservation efforts, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4636: SOIL Act

The SOIL Act increases payments for farmers participating in USDA conservation programs who implement practices that simultaneously improve soil health and wildlife habitat. It raises reimbursement rates to 90% of costs for specific activities like planting cover crops, restoring wetlands, creating riparian buffers, and establishing wildlife habitat plantings - listed in the bill as 26 distinct practices. The bill modifies program rules to prioritize applications and contract offers that address both soil and wildlife resource concerns. These changes directly affect farmers enrolled in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) who adopt dual-benefit conservation practices. The policy shifts focus toward integrated land management by financially incentivizing practices that deliver multiple ecological outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases USDA payments for soil/wildlife conservation practices (cover crops, wetlands, buffers), directly promoting environmental protection through enhanced funding and incentives for habitat and soil health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1853: CALL Act

The CALL Act (HR 1853) requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on barriers to conservation practice adoption on leased agricultural land. It examines factors like lease agreements, landowner awareness, and regional differences affecting farmers (who operate leased land but don’t own it) and landowners. The study will analyze existing data, including the TOTAL Survey, and assess how lease structures influence conservation efforts, with special focus on Black, Indigenous, and beginning farmers. The USDA must submit a final report by December 2026 with recommendations for improving conservation participation on leased land. This is a research-focused bill with no immediate policy changes, aiming to inform future USDA actions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates USDA study on barriers to conservation practice adoption, directly targeting environmental protection through improved conservation efforts on leased agricultural land.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 1, 2025

S 2643: Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025

This bill amends existing federal laws to expand funding for ecosystem restoration projects focused on native seeds and seedlings. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (via the Forest Service) to provide contracts, grants, or agreements to state forestry agencies, nonprofits, universities, tribes, and multistate coalitions for two specific activities: (1) collecting and maintaining native seeds (including from managed seed orchards), and (2) producing seedlings for revegetation. The funding supports habitat restoration efforts by directly enabling these entities to source and grow native plant materials. The bill does not create new programs but integrates seed and seedling production into current restoration frameworks under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal funding for native seed/seedling projects to restore ecosystems, directly advancing conservation and habitat protection per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3556: Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes a federal program providing funding for wildlife crossings - such as overpasses or underpasses - to help animals safely cross roads. It authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2031 from the Highway Trust Fund, making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language). Key provisions include requiring 90% federal funding for projects in small, rural, or disadvantaged communities (up to 100% if financial hardship exists) and allocating 0.5% of funds yearly to help tribes and other eligible groups apply for and access program funding more efficiently. The bill directly affects communities and tribes seeking to build wildlife crossings near highways.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect biodiversity and reduce roadkill, directly conserving natural resources through infrastructure projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings via Highway Trust Fund to enhance road safety and infrastructure, directly supporting transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3503: Wildlife Road Crossing Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes a federal program that funds wildlife crossings - structures like overpasses or underpasses designed to help animals safely cross roads - through fiscal years 2027 to 2031. It authorizes $200 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund to support these projects, directly affecting state and tribal governments, local agencies, and conservation groups that apply for grants. Key provisions include making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language), requiring 100% federal funding for tribal projects, and dedicating 0.5% of annual funds to provide tribal technical assistance for faster project approval and funding access. The bill also allows the federal government to retain up to 0.5% of funds for administrative tasks like grant reviews and project oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $200M/year from Highway Trust Fund for wildlife crossings, directly funding a program through budgetary allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect habitats and reduce animal-vehicle collisions, directly supporting conservation efforts per bill's conservation-focused purpose.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings via Highway Trust Fund to enhance road safety and infrastructure, directly supporting transportation policy as a safety-focused infrastructure project.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Tribal Nations

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