Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a comprehensive effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance wildlife habitat connectivity across both public and private lands. This initiative, detailed in a memorandum released recently, seeks to coordinate various USDA programs and work with state and tribal authorities while respecting private property rights through voluntary conservation efforts.

The USDA aims to integrate considerations of wildlife habitat connectivity into its planning processes and improve coordination among its programs. The department will also focus on increasing collaboration with states, tribes, and other federal agencies.

Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, emphasized the importance of partnerships with farmers, ranchers, and forest owners in conserving wildlife habitats. "Most wildlife in America...depend on vast swaths of connected habitat," he stated. Bonnie noted the success of working with landowners who voluntarily conserve wildlife habitats.

Dr. Homer Wilkes, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted the role of national forests and grasslands in providing critical wildlife habitats. "Coordination across agencies...is key to all of our work," he said.

Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary, noted that today's announcement builds on existing efforts to support large-scale conservation projects. APHIS prioritizes solutions that consider animal habitats alongside economic factors and human health.

The U.S. is home to diverse wildlife species requiring large areas for survival. The USDA's initiative aims to address issues like habitat loss and barriers to animal movement while promoting conservation efforts through NRCS and FSA programs.

Since 2021, the USDA has collaborated with various partners to advance these goals by developing frameworks for conservation action in key biomes such as the Great Plains Grasslands Biome Framework. Efforts include initiatives like the Migratory Big Game Initiative focused on conserving lands vital for migratory species such as elk.

Additionally, resources are being allocated through programs like FSA’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which now includes over 3.8 million acres in priority zones like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Overall, this effort aligns with broader USDA objectives under the Biden-Harris administration to transform America's food system by focusing on resilient local production systems while ensuring equitable access to nutritious food across communities.