Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

06/23/2026

Senate Farm Bill Discussion Draft Released

Today, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman released a discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026, marking the Senate's first public step toward its own Farm Bill. The House passed its version, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, on April 30 - and while the two chambers are taking their own paths, both reflect renewed momentum toward getting a new Farm Bill across the finish line.

For hunters and anglers, the Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of conservation legislation Congress considers. Its conservation programs create the cover, wetlands, and clean water that hunters and anglers depend on - and they do it by supporting the farmers, ranchers, and landowners who steward these lands every day. Healthy, productive working lands are good for everyone.

"We're encouraged to see the Farm Bill process continue to move forward in the Senate," said Aaron Field, TRCP's director of private lands conservation. "The Farm Bill directly supports wildlife habitat and the hunting and fishing opportunities that depend on healthy working lands. We'd like to thank Chairman John Boozman, Ranking Member Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Ag Committee members and staff from both parties for their continued commitment to getting a bipartisan Farm Bill across the finish line."

In the coming days, TRCP will dig into the bill and evaluate its impacts on habitat and access. Look for a more detailed analysis soon at trcp.org.

06/23/2026

“This is a past winner of the turkey hunt with Janis and I. He figured there was no way he’d actually win. But he was wrong. You might be too.” —Steven Rinella

Stevenrinella and Janis Putelis hosted last year’s lucky winner on a two-day turkey hunt—and now you could be next.

We’re offering the exact same Grand Prize in this year’s TRCP MeatEater 2026 Sweepstakes : a 2-day, 3-night all-expenses-paid hunt with Steven and Janis.

Enter now. You can help support TRCP’s work protecting habitat and securing the future of hunting and fishing in America.

ENTER NOW 👉 https://www.trcp.org/trcp-meateater-summer-sweepstakes-2026/

This Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or X, nor by any other social media platform. These social media platforms are not associated with this Sweepstakes in any way. Any questions or comments should be directed to the Sponsor

06/22/2026

Last week, hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts joined the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership in commending the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee for unanimously re-authorizing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through the America the Beautiful Act.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), and 63 Senate co-sponsors and is aimed at addressing the $43 billion maintenance backlog on America’s public lands across several federal agencies.

“The America the Beautiful Act wouldn’t just fund maintenance on our national parks, forests, and refuges – it would require federal agencies to prioritize public access. That means better water infrastructure on refuges for waterfowl hunters, passable trails for turkey and big game hunters, and improved access points for anglers,” said Joel Webster, chief conservation officer at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP joins sportsmen and women in thanking Senators Daines and King for their leadership in introducing this bipartisan legislation and the efforts of Senators Lee and Heinrich in moving it through the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.”

Learn more:

Reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund would mean better access and infrastructure for America's hunters and anglers

06/19/2026

Atlantic menhaden are one of the most important fish on the East Coast. They feed striped bass, bluefish, tuna, whales, ospreys, and countless other predators. They provide bait for commercial fisheries harvesting lobster and crab as well as for recreational fisheries, sustaining coastal economies from Maine to Florida.

But while New England’s stake in the menhaden fishery has grown, the system used to allocate harvest access among Atlantic states has remained largely unchanged.

That’s why the TRCP has launched a new petition and companion video calling on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to establish a more equitable allocation of Atlantic menhaden catch quota when it considers reallocation this November.

Learn more:

A new petition and video from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership call for more equitable Atlantic menhaden commercial catch allocations to East Coast states as the ASMFC considers initiating a reallocation process this November.

06/18/2026

The Pennsylvania Clean Streams Fund supports water quality programs and agricultural conservation projects designed to improve water quality throughout the state. Clean water means better bass and trout fishing, better waterfowl hunting, and a healthier Chesapeake Bay.

Ask state lawmakers to continue supporting the fund in the next state budget.

Take action! 👉 https://www.trcp.org/action-alert/urge-pennsylvania-lawmakers-to-support-clean-water/

06/16/2026

3 Chances to Win. 1 Epic Grand Prize.

Enter the TRCP MeatEater 2026 Sweepstakes for your shot at the hunt of a lifetime with Steven Rinella and Janis Putelis — plus other awesome gear!

ENTER NOW 👉 www.trcp.org/sweepstakes

This Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or X, nor by any other social media platform. These social media platforms are not associated with this Sweepstakes in any way. Any questions or comments should be directed to the Sponsor

06/14/2026

Sunday plans

06/13/2026

In May 2026, TRCP announced that federal land management agencies had completed a key first step in implementing the 2022 Modernizing Access to our Public Land Act by publishing more than 30,000 records of easements and reservations that secure public rights-of-way across private land. The newly available data was released through the MAPLand ARC GIS Hub, making it easier for hunters, anglers, outdoor recreationists, land managers, and mapping companies to identify and use legal access routes to enjoy and effectively manage public lands.

This access success was years in the making.

Learn more 👉 https://www.trcp.org/2026/06/11/mapland-milestone-marks-major-step-forward-for-public-access/

06/12/2026

Bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250 Introduced in Congress

“Investing in America’s public lands is crucial to making it easier for hunters and anglers to access our shared natural resources,” said Joel Webster, TRCP’s chief conservation officer. “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, TRCP applauds the bipartisan introduction of the Great American Outdoors Act 250 and the continued commitment to manage and increase access to our public lands to benefit all Americans.”

TRCP thanks Congressman Bruce Westerman and Congressman Jared Huffman for their leadership in bringing this bill forward and for their continued commitment to America’s public lands and sporting traditions. Sportsmen and women across the country look forward to seeing this important legislation advance.

06/11/2026

TRCP's Jim Kauffman got to help firsthand with hauling in trotlines set to remove this aquatic invasive species from the Chesapeake Bay, as part of larger management efforts that require collaboration and partnerships.

It’s one thing to read about the abundance of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. But it’s another thing to experience it for yourself. These voracious predators have now spread throughout most of the Upper Bay and are established in every major tidal river in Maryland.

Read the full story:

TRCP got to help firsthand with hauling in trotlines set to remove blue catfish, an aquatic invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay, as part of larger management efforts that require collaboration and partnerships.