The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 aims to improve habitat quality and connectivity for migratory big game and other wildlife by providing financial and technical assistance. It establishes the Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program , a nonregulatory initiative to fund projects that conserve or enhance movement areas, such as securing habitat leases, modifying fences, acquiring non-Federal land, and reducing human-wildlife vehicle collisions. This grant program will be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, offering competitive matching grants to a broad range of eligible recipients including State and Tribal agencies, non-profits, and universities. The bill also creates the State and Tribal Migration Research Program to provide direct funding to State fish and wildlife agencies and Indian Tribes for collecting and analyzing data on movement areas. Furthermore, it directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support a Corridor Mapping Team , offering technical assistance for mapping and researching wildlife movement areas, and to build upon existing mapping efforts. A key provision ensures the protection of sensitive information, such as private property rights and precise individual locations, and aims to prevent poaching. The Act reauthorizes the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and authorizes appropriations for the new programs and USGS efforts for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with a significant portion of funds specifically allocated for big game movement areas. To ensure effective implementation, a Senior Executive Service employee will be appointed to coordinate activities across federal agencies and with State, Tribal, and non-governmental partners. Importantly, the bill includes a savings provision clarifying that funds cannot be used to mandate non-voluntary changes to agricultural, forestry, or energy development practices, nor does it diminish State or Tribal authority over wildlife management or impact private property rights.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Congressional oversightDepartment of the InteriorExecutive agency funding and structureFederal officialsGeography and mappingGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsMammalsResearch administration and fundingWildlife conservation and habitat protection
Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-717| House
| Updated: 1/23/2025
The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 aims to improve habitat quality and connectivity for migratory big game and other wildlife by providing financial and technical assistance. It establishes the Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program , a nonregulatory initiative to fund projects that conserve or enhance movement areas, such as securing habitat leases, modifying fences, acquiring non-Federal land, and reducing human-wildlife vehicle collisions. This grant program will be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, offering competitive matching grants to a broad range of eligible recipients including State and Tribal agencies, non-profits, and universities. The bill also creates the State and Tribal Migration Research Program to provide direct funding to State fish and wildlife agencies and Indian Tribes for collecting and analyzing data on movement areas. Furthermore, it directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support a Corridor Mapping Team , offering technical assistance for mapping and researching wildlife movement areas, and to build upon existing mapping efforts. A key provision ensures the protection of sensitive information, such as private property rights and precise individual locations, and aims to prevent poaching. The Act reauthorizes the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and authorizes appropriations for the new programs and USGS efforts for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with a significant portion of funds specifically allocated for big game movement areas. To ensure effective implementation, a Senior Executive Service employee will be appointed to coordinate activities across federal agencies and with State, Tribal, and non-governmental partners. Importantly, the bill includes a savings provision clarifying that funds cannot be used to mandate non-voluntary changes to agricultural, forestry, or energy development practices, nor does it diminish State or Tribal authority over wildlife management or impact private property rights.
Congressional oversightDepartment of the InteriorExecutive agency funding and structureFederal officialsGeography and mappingGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsMammalsResearch administration and fundingWildlife conservation and habitat protection