Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

The "Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026" aims to significantly improve wildlife habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors across agricultural lands, with a specific focus on native big game species such as wild deer, elk, and moose. It amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to integrate these conservation goals into existing federal programs. Key provisions include expanding the scope of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to prioritize projects that restore and enhance wildlife corridors. The bill also allows producers to receive cost-share payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program for activities on ecologically significant grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, provided these activities support habitat connectivity. Furthermore, it increases the payment limitation for Conservation Reserve Program rental payments from $50,000 to $125,000. To facilitate these efforts, the legislation mandates the incorporation of nonstructural methods , such as virtual fencing, into conservation practice standards for livestock management, ensuring adequate technical assistance is available. It also encourages the Secretary of Agriculture to promote the conservation of landscape and hydrologic corridors for native big game species across all conservation programs. Finally, the bill authorizes research and extension grants to study the adoption barriers and ecological impacts of virtual fencing technology, particularly concerning sensitive habitats and crucial winter ranges for native big game.