This bill amends federal conservation programs to prioritize wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors for big game species like elk, deer, and moose on working agricultural lands. It expands eligibility for existing conservation programs by allowing farmers and ranchers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (which pays them to keep land out of production) to also receive payments for habitat restoration projects through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. The legislation increases the annual payment cap for Conservation Reserve Program rental payments from $50,000 to $125,000 per person, and directs the Department of Agriculture to develop conservation standards using "virtual fencing" technology—which uses GPS and other methods to control livestock movement without physical fences—to help wildlife move more freely across landscapes. The bill also funds research on virtual fencing adoption and its effects on wildlife habitats. Overall, it aims to help landowners maintain productive farms while creating pathways for wildlife migration across fragmented landscapes.
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