DENVER — The Biden Administration’s commitment to conserve and restore wildlife migration corridors as part of its America the Beautiful initiative will tackle the biodiversity crisis and ensure that our nation’s wildlife thrive.

“Interior Secretary Haaland’s continued commitment to working with states, Tribes, and private landowners to conserve and restore wildlife corridors will maintain magnificent critical big game migrations in the West, and we look forward to seeing benefits for wildlife across the nation,” said Mike Leahy, director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “Keeping wildlife habitat connected is one of the most important wildlife conservation strategies of the 21st century, as habitat is increasingly fragmented, altered, and lost due to human population expansion, climate change, and other threats.” 

“Wildlife need intact corridors and habitat that allow them to migrate, breed, and forage for survival. Encouraging cooperation among federal, state and Tribal agencies and private landowners to conserve and restore these vital pathways is key to addressing our nation’s biodiversity crisis,” said Morgan Marks, north-central field representative for the Montana Wildlife Federation. “Secretary Haaland recognizes the importance of collaboration to advance habitat connectivity on our nation’s lands and waters.” 

Haaland announced that $9.5 million in grants will be distributed to seven states and three Tribes to improve habitat connectivity. She also announced an innovative agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society to coordinate habitat conservation. 

Last week, the National Wildlife Federation released a report on the urgent need to conserve and restore wildlife habitat and wildlife migration corridors.