The group behind the creation of North America's system of conservation - the Boone and Crockett Club - applauds the passage of the new Farm Bill, which includes several critical conservation and forest management provisions.

"The Club has been closely involved with the Farm Bill since the early 1990s," said James L. Cummins, co-chairman of the Boone and Crockett Club's Conservation Policy Committee. "We are especially pleased that this new bill includes key conservation measures for forest, grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats."

Club founder, Theodore Roosevelt, was a strong advocate for federal public lands managed for multiple use. When Club members established the national forest system and then the U.S. Forest Service, Roosevelt appointed fellow Club member Gifford Pinchot as its first chief in 1905. Roosevelt and the Club viewed public and private lands as not only critical habitat for wildlife, but critical recreational grounds for all people.

"The Farm Bill is one of the largest single sources of conservation spending in the federal budget and it represents the single largest federal investment in private-lands conservation, so it is easy to see why it is so important," stated Paul Phillips, also a co-chairman of the Club's Conservation Policy Committee. 

The Farm Bill is not a single piece of legislation but a dynamic series of Acts over the past nine decades that have established and updated many helpful programs. It benefits those who grow our food and every citizen by supporting clean air, clean water, recreation, and healthy food.

"The health of our public and private lands should be a concern to everyone, especially those who rely on these lands for livelihoods and recreation," explained Cummins. "The Forestry Title in the new Farm Bill includes nine provisions that will help streamline forest conservation so we can get on with the business of improving forest lands. While the Forestry Title is not perfect, these provisions are moving our nation's forest management policies in the right direction. The winners today are these lands, people and our wildlife. "

The Boone and Crockett Club is providing an overview of the history of the Farm Bill as well as details pertaining to provision in the 2018 Bill. Download PDF below.