The National Deer Association (NDA) applauds the first convening of the Make America Beautiful Again (MABA) Commission and welcomes the Administration’s prioritization of critical wildlife migration corridors through a new $8 million investment supporting Secretarial Order 3362 (S.O. 3362). Signed in 2018 by then-U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, S.O. 3362 directs key Department of the Interior agencies to collaborate with western states to identify, enhance, and conserve vital winter range and migration corridors.
Connected habitats are essential to sustaining healthy populations of mule deer, elk and pronghorn while also supporting outdoor recreation and local economies. S.O. 3362 began a new era of collaborative, science-based conservation, bringing partners together around a shared vision for habitat connectivity and resilience. NDA is encouraged to see this momentum sustained through renewed commitment and additional funding for on-the-ground conservation outcomes.
“This funding represents a critical investment in the long-term health and connectivity of our migration corridors,” said Nick Pinizzotto, President and CEO of the National Deer Association. “By supporting collaborative habitat improvement, we’re ensuring wildlife can move freely across the landscape while reinforcing the economic and recreational benefits these natural systems provide. It’s a win for conservation, communities, and the future of our outdoor heritage. We look forward to the continuation of this program long into the future, as well as its expansion to more species and additional habitats, like summer range.”
The MABA Commission has set ambitious conservation objectives for which many opportunities exist. NDA looks forward to working alongside the Administration and fellow stakeholders to advance these goals. Thoughtful conservation investment strengthens communities today while safeguarding land, water, and wildlife resources for generations to come.