WASHINGTON, D.C.– A bipartisan bill would help protect native prairie across the country while saving taxpayer dollars and conserving essential habitat for ducks, birds, and pollinators. The American Prairie Conservation Act, introduced by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) would reduce crop insurance subsidies for producers who convert native prairie to cropland. 

“America’s unique native grasslands are home to some of our most iconic species – songbirds, raptors, pheasants, and pollinators that rely on prairies for habitat and food,” said Aviva Glaser, senior director of agricultural policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “This legislation will help stem the growing loss of native grasslands across the country by reducing the subsidies that farmers can get when they convert marginal, never before planted grasslands to cropland. We look forward to working with Senators Thune and Klobuchar and the Senate Agriculture Committee to ensure that this bill is part of the 2023 Farm Bill.” 
 
The American Prairie Conservation Act protects prairies by expanding the so-called “sodsaver provision,” put into place in the 2014 Farm Bill. These provisions help protect grasslands by reducing federal crop insurance premium subsidies for newly-converted land and correctly aligning the market risk of putting never-before-cropped grasslands into production.