Tell Congress to protect America’s grasslands

Dear Congressmember,

America’s Great Plains grasslands are a natural treasure. They anchor one of the world’s most productive food-growing regions, safeguard freshwater supplies, and support wildlife habitats.

Recent findings from World Wildlife Fund’s Plowprint Report show that nearly 2 million acres of Great Plains grasslands were converted in 2022 alone, with cropland being the main driver of loss. Grassland-dependent bird species are experiencing some of the steepest population declines, while pollinators like the Southern Plains bumble bee have reached endangered status.

Protecting these landscapes is essential for the stability of our food and water supplies, the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers, and the long-term health of this important ecosystem.

I urge you to cosponsor bipartisan legislation to expand programs at the Department of Agriculture that help farmers and ranchers adopt practices that protect grasslands while keeping family operations viable:

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Improvement and Flexibility Act (H.R. 5111; S. 2608)
Sponsored by Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA); Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

This bill would modernize the CRP – the largest working lands conservation program in the country – to better support ranchers and keep grasslands intact. The bill offers cost-share support for grazing infrastructure, extending contract options, and updating annual payment caps to reflect current economic conditions. These improvements would help more producers voluntarily effectively use sustainable grazing as a tool in conserving environmentally sensitive acres, including recently restored marginal lands, while improving soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

American Prairie Conservation Act (S. 1209)
Sponsored by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

This bill would expand the successful Sodsaver program nationwide to help conserve native grasslands while saving taxpayers money. Active in six states today, the Sodsaver program reduces federal crop insurance subsidies on newly converted native prairie, helping discourage the plow-up of fragile, highly erodible lands. Expanding this program would reduce taxpayer costs, protect vulnerable ecosystems, and lower the economic risks associated with farming unsuitable areas.

By enacting these bipartisan bills, Congress can take meaningful and immediate action to secure the future of America’s grasslands and support the communities that rely on them.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely

[Your Name]