What does FINDINGS; PURPOSES. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes findings related to the decline of native fish, wildlife, and plant species in the United States. It identifies threats to these species, including habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, obstruction, and climate change. The findings highlight the importance of landscape and seascape corridors for conserving biodiversity and ensuring resilience. The section notes that States have taken action to address habitat connectivity, including legislation and regional conferences. The purposes of the Act, as outlined in this section, are to support native species experiencing diminished habitat connectivity. The Act aims to provide long-term habitat connectivity for species migration, adaptation, and genetic exchange. It seeks to restore wildlife movements disrupted by habitat loss and facilitate coordinated connectivity planning across jurisdictions. The Act intends to support decisionmakers in planning and developing National Wildlife Corridors.

What does PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a habitat connectivity mapping and science program under the direction of the Director of the United States Geological Survey. The program's purpose is to develop mapping and science to support efforts to protect habitat connectivity for Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments and the public. The Director is tasked with expanding and building upon existing agency efforts to map habitat connectivity, incorporating data from various entities including Federal agencies, state and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. The Director will utilize new technologies to analyze wildlife movements and share these capabilities with wildlife managers. The program will develop and make available a database of corridors and maps of habitat connectivity to guide land-use planning and management. Within two years of enactment, the Director must submit a report to the House and Senate committees assessing existing habitat connectivity data and identifying information gaps. The Director must protect proprietary interests and sensitive information related to wildlife habitats and ranges. The Director will conduct research to guide the management of National Wildlife Corridors, including studies on climate change impacts, development effects, mapping methods, and mitigation effectiveness. The term 'Director' refers to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, and 'Program' refers to the established habitat connectivity mapping and science program.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS SYSTEM ON of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the 'National Wildlife Corridor System' on Federal land and water. National Wildlife Corridors can be designated through statute, rulemaking, or land use management plans. The Secretary must develop a strategy within 18 months of enactment for the effective development of the system. The strategy should support the purposes described in section 2(b). The strategy must ensure coordination and consistency across Federal agencies. The strategy should include a timeline for implementing National Wildlife Corridors.

What does NOMINATIONS OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND PRIORITIZATION of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines the process for nominating and prioritizing areas as National Wildlife Corridors. State, Tribal, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and collaborative partnerships can nominate Federal lands and waters. The Coordinating Committee can also nominate habitat connectivity areas, at least every five years. The Secretary concerned must make a determination on nominated areas within one year of receiving the nomination. The Secretaries will establish criteria for designating habitat connectivity areas as National Wildlife Corridors. Criteria include support from the best available science regarding existing and potential habitat connectivity. Areas should merit inclusion if they support wildlife movement, benefit multiple species, or benefit threatened or endangered species.

What does MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes guidelines for the management of National Wildlife Corridors. The Secretaries are directed to manage these corridors to contribute to the long-term persistence, resilience, and movement of native species through habitat connectivity. Human infrastructure and activities that impede wildlife movement are generally prohibited, except where necessary to meet minimum requirements for the Act’s purposes. The Secretaries must update relevant regulations and procedures within two years of enactment to support corridor management. Land use management plans, reviewed every six months after designation, must conserve and manage National Wildlife Corridors and consider designating additional corridors. Corridors established through land use management plans can only be removed if they no longer provide effective habitat connectivity or are replaced by other designated corridors. Federal lands within designated corridors are withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal, mining, and mineral leasing. The Secretaries must consult with relevant agencies when conservation and restoration activities occur within areas under multiple jurisdictions. Mitigation measures are required for roads intersecting wildlife corridors, focusing on public safety and habitat connectivity. A report to Congress, submitted every five years, will detail efforts to carry out the Act and its effect on habitat connectivity, wildlife movement, and migration routes.

What does RESOURCE SHARING AND COORDINATION. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a framework for resource sharing and coordination related to the purposes of the Act. The Secretaries are authorized to establish collaborative partnerships with various entities, including voluntary private landowners, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. These partnerships must be balanced, multi-stakeholder, transparent, nonexclusive, and reasonably representative of affected interests. Partnerships should establish agreement on the roles of different government agencies and coordinate efforts for habitat connectivity. Regional liaisons are to be identified to represent Federal agencies in collaboration with State, Tribal, local governments, partnerships, and the public. Each Secretary shall appoint a national-level coordinator to oversee implementation. The Secretaries are directed to provide technical assistance and resources to State, Tribal, local governments, partnerships, and private landowners. Implementation of this title requires consultation with various entities, including Federal agencies, State and Tribal governments, private landowners, and landscape-scale partnerships.

What does COORDINATING COMMITTEE. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a Coordinating Committee within 180 days of the section's enactment. The Coordinating Committee will consist of representatives from various federal agencies, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, intertribal organizations, and nongovernmental organizations. The Secretary will appoint representatives from intertribal organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Within one year of the Committee's establishment, it must develop a strategy for nominating national wildlife corridors, supporting the Act’s purposes, and coordinating conservation efforts. The strategy must also include education or outreach regarding national wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity.

Back to bills

Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026

Q: What does Preamble of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity.

Q: What does DEFINITIONS. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Appropriate committees of Congress” includes specific committees from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. “Connectivity” is defined as the degree to which a landscape or seascape facilitates wildlife movement for purposes like dispersal and range shifting. “Corridor” refers to a feature of the landscape or seascape that provides habitat connectivity. “Federal land or water” encompasses land and water owned by the United States. “Grant program” refers to the wildlife movement grant program established by section 301(a). “Habitat” is defined as land, water, and substrate supporting the life cycle of a native species. “Indian land” refers to land held in trust or subject to restrictions against alienation by the United States. “Native species” includes fish, wildlife, aquatic organisms, plants, and migratory birds historically present in an ecosystem. “National Wildlife Corridor” is Federal land or water designated as such under section 201(a).

Q: What does EFFECT. of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 do?

This section clarifies that the title does not affect the jurisdiction of states or Indian tribes regarding fish and wildlife management within a National Wildlife Corridor. The section prohibits the use of eminent domain to seize private property or the imposition of restrictions on private land use without landowner consent. The Secretary of Defense can waive requirements of the title for military installations if necessary to ensure Armed Forces preparedness or support the military mission. The Secretary of Defense must publish waivers unless publication would negatively impact national security.

Last updated: 4/22/2026 · Introduced: 4/22/2026

Author: Donald Beyer (D-VA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a National Wildlife Corridor System on federal land and water to support wildlife movement, adaptation, and genetic exchange.
It creates a habitat connectivity mapping and science program within the U.S. Geological Survey to develop maps and data for land-use planning and wildlife management.
The bill authorizes a Wildlife Corridor Grant Program to fund projects that increase habitat connectivity on both federal and non-federal lands.
It establishes a Coordinating Committee composed of federal agencies, tribal organizations, and non-governmental groups to develop strategies for nominating wildlife corridors and coordinating conservation efforts.
The legislation clarifies that states and tribes retain their authority over fish and wildlife management within designated corridors and prohibits the use of eminent domain to restrict private land use.

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