WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Agriculture Committee’s investments in a new Civilian Climate Corps, climate resilience, forest watershed restoration, food security, and essential agricultural research underscore how the Build Back Better Act will address the immense challenges facing people and wildlife alike. The National Wildlife Federation welcomed these investments and urged Chairman David Scott (D-Ga.) to build off these by fulfilling his commitment to strengthen the proposal’s investments in Farm Bill conservation programs.

“The House Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal makes critical investments in the types of programs and initiatives that will create jobs, support rural communities, strengthen community resilience, restore watersheds, and engage the next generation of farmers and ranchers in conservation,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We will work with Chairman Scott and his colleagues to ensure these investments remain a part of the Build Back Better Act.

“This bill has significant wins, especially in forest watershed restoration, but it currently lacks necessary investments in climate-smart agriculture and Farm Bill conservation programs that we need to fully engage America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners in addressing the immense challenges facing people and wildlife alike. We greatly appreciate Chairman Scott’s commitment to invest an additional $28 billion in climate-smart agriculture in the Build Back Better Act once it moves to the floor, and we look forward to helping him fulfill this promise.”