The Conservation Reserve Program in 2023

The Farm Bill includes the most significant investment in conservation we make as a nation. Whether we hunt on private or public land, bird hunters recognize that management on private farms, ranches, and forests directly impacts bird habitat and hunting opportunities more broadly. Because of that, groups like the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and our partners put great effort into improving the conservation programs within the Farm Bill. This type of work requires discerning thought on even the tiny details. Minor changes to major legislation like the Farm Bill can lead to massive impacts on the ground. We spend a lot of time sweating the small stuff for good reason. Yet, we mustn’t lose sight of the overall outcomes we want to see because there are often multiple ways to get there.