Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Zinke
Introduced
Summary
Creates federal grant and research programs to conserve wildlife migration corridors through voluntary, locally led projects. It would pair competitive matching grants with a State and Tribal migration research program and a USGS corridor mapping effort to guide on-the-ground conservation.
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- State and Tribal agencies, Indian Tribes, nonprofits, universities, State transportation departments, counties, and some Federal agencies would be eligible for competitive matching grants to improve identified movement areas; the federal share could be up to 90 percent and nonfederal share at least 10 percent.
- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation would administer grants under a cooperative agreement and may waive cost-share for projects benefiting Indian Tribes, historically disadvantaged communities, or areas of persistent poverty.
- A migration research program would provide funds directly to State fish and wildlife agencies and Tribes for data collection and analysis through the Fish and Wildlife Service science program, while the US Geological Survey would maintain a Corridor Mapping Team and publish annual migration maps and reports.
- The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program would be able to give technical assistance to other Federal agencies for voluntary corridor or seasonal habitat conservation on private and Tribal land, and the Act bars using funds to force non‑voluntary changes in agricultural, forestry, energy, or water rights.
- Funding and administration would be tied to annual appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with at least 50 percent of annual program funds directed to projects that directly conserve, restore, or enhance big game movement areas.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal mapping and research support
If enacted, the bill would direct USGS to continue a Corridor Mapping Team to map and analyze movement areas using GPS and other scientific data. States and Tribes would get priority and must request help. USGS would be required to protect sensitive location data to reduce poaching risk and publish annual analyses and biennial reports to Congress. The bill would also set up a State and Tribal Migration Research Program to give money to State fish and wildlife agencies and Tribes for data and analysis, run by the Fish and Wildlife Service's Science Applications program. The Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program could give technical help to other Federal agencies for voluntary corridor work on private and Tribal land, and these parts are authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. At least 50% of yearly funds under these parts must be used to improve big game movement areas.
New grants for wildlife movement
If enacted, this bill would create a Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program run through a cooperative agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Foundation would give competitive matching grants; federal share could be up to 90% and non‑federal share would be at least 10%. The Foundation could waive matches for Indian Tribes, historically disadvantaged communities, or persistent poverty areas. At least 50% of each year's funds must go to projects that conserve big game movement areas. The Foundation would receive the full annual payment on October 1 each fiscal year to manage and invest until spent. The bill would bar using program money to force changes in farm, livestock, or forestry practices and would not change State or Tribal wildlife authority or private property rights.
Definitions for wildlife movement programs
If enacted, the bill would define key terms used by the programs. "Big game" would mean native large mammals such as deer, elk, pronghorn, wild sheep, and moose when State or Tribal agencies regulate take. "Movement area" would include corridors and seasonal habitats documented by State or Tribal agencies or recognized scientific publications. These definitions would guide which projects qualify for grants and research funds.
New federal coordinator for migration
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary to appoint a Senior Executive Service coordinator with big game movement experience to advise and assist States, Tribes, Federal agencies, and the Foundation. Agency leaders would be required to meet regularly to align actions and funding. The coordinator would maintain a public summary of activities and results. These coordination activities are authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Zinke
MT • R
Cosponsors
Beyer
VA • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Vasquez
NM • D
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Steube
FL • R
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Min
CA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Vindman
VA • D
Sponsored 9/4/2025
Bynum
OR • D
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 4/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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