Press Releases

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) today introduced the Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act to establish an American Wildlife Corridors System that allows species to move freely and safely between habitats to access resources, establish new territories, promote gene flow, and adapt to the impacts of changing climate.

“One of the simplest yet most effective solutions to address biodiversity loss caused by habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, and obstruction is providing species opportunity to move across lands and waters,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “By connecting different habitat areas, we can allow animals to move safely between them without the threat of barriers that often put species in danger. Our legislation would direct key Federal land and water management agencies to develop and manage national wildlife corridors to enhance biodiversity, support ecosystem stability, and benefit both wildlife and human communities.”

“Corridors increase wildlife movement between habitat areas by approximately 50 percent compared to areas not connected by corridors. By protecting wildlife corridors, this bill will help conserve and restore America’s wildlife, from Florida panthers to monarch butterflies,” said Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “We thank Congressman Beyer and Congressman Buchanan for introducing this important bill.”

“Defenders of Wildlife appreciates Reps. Beyer and Buchanan’s leadership in protecting America’s wildlife and their habitats through this strategic and collaborative approach to conservation planning,” said Mary Beth Beetham, Legislative Director for Defenders of Wildlife. “By allowing animals to move across landscapes to access food and respond to climate change, connecting our lands and waters is key to the survival of a diverse array of species, from the iconic grizzly bear to the monarch butterfly. The Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act is an investment in our natural heritage and the type of proactive wildlife stewardship that transcends political affiliation, speaking to the heart of our American values.”

The Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act would establish and maintain a habitat connectivity area mapping and science program to support State, local, and Tribal government efforts to protect and designate habitat connectivity areas as American wildlife corridors. The bill would also establish a wildlife corridor grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife to support these efforts.

Text of the Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act is available here.