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Policy

Advancing U.S. Policy

Learn how TNC partners with federal, state and local governments to protect nature—and what you can do to help.

U.S. Capitol Building at Sunset.
Washington, DC, USA. The United States Capitol in Washington, DC, USA. © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy

Policy makes conservation possible.

That is why we have experts on staff who help influence how government policies in the United States are written and brought to life. Their approach to doing so is nonpartisan, practical and grounded in science.

And it is why we encourage you to speak up for nature by letting your leaders in Congress, the Executive Office, state capitols and government agencies know what you think can be done differently to address climate change and protect the diversity of life on earth.

Voices – ours and yours – are needed for meaningful policies all along the way. Speak up when new legislation is proposed, celebrate it when it is passed and defend it so that funding is not stripped away at a later date. We must also help shape how the fine print for new programs included in legislation is written and decisions are made on how to allocate new funding.  

Government leaders cannot address all the threats to nature. Private sector companies, indigenous peoples and local communities, scientists, investors and others also play a critical role. But government action is one of the strongest levers we have for creating the healthy natural systems in the U.S. and globally that are the foundation for our economy, security and way of life.

We have years, not decades, to solve the interconnected crises of climate change and species loss. Take action now on our top policy priorities.

Farmer harvesting kale.
The Blaney Farm The Blaney family farm in Albany, Ohio. Adam Blaney harvest kale on his family farm that will be packaged and sold in the farm's CSA program or at the local farmer's market. Adam and Tabitha Blaney with their children Mason, Eliza, Lindy and Haddy own and operate a small family farm in Albany, Ohio. Their one and a half acre farm primarily grows salad greens but also produces kale, bok-choy, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes and carrots among others. They employ one part-time worker and welcome volunteers to help with their growing business. The sell their produce at the Athens Farmer’s Market and recently established a CSA program. Fridays are the busiest for the family in that they have to prepare for the CSA orders but also ready produce for the Saturday Farmer’s Market. © Alex Snyder/TNC

The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is the largest source of federal funding for conserving, restoring and managing private land in the U.S. It is currently up for renewal in Congress, something that only happens once every five years.

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Man resting on white rhino.
White Rhino Najin is one of the last two Northern White Rhinos left in the world. Here she rests with her friend and caretaker Zachary Mutai in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. © Matjaz Krivic/TNC Photo Contest 2022

U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act

This proposed legislation would leverage government, private sector and philanthropic funds to support communities and Indigenous Peoples around the world who want to conserve and manage protected areas and at-risk fish, plants and animals.

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More Policy Priorities

We use decades of hands-on experience and knowledge to partner with local, state and federal governments on science-based policy solutions that benefit both people and nature.

Recent Policy Wins

For decades, TNC has helped shape legislation. Historic policy wins from the past several years now show how far we’ve come in making conservation and climate action central policy issues in the U.S.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION Throughout the year, TNC staff and leaders visit lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and in their home states to advocate for policy action on conservation. Watch one advocate’s journey to create a future in which people and nature thrive.
Sinopah Mountain at sunrise at Glacier National Park.
MORNING BEACON Sinopah Mountain illuminated during a fall sunrise at Glacier National Park. Even today, elected leaders are voting on how much funding National Parks receive each year. © Jeff Stamer Firefall Photography/TNC
Cover of Wildfire Resilience Roadmap.
Wildfire Resilience Roadmap: Solutions for a Paradigm Shift

Our roadmap combines bold policy action with forward-thinking approaches to change how we manage and prepare for extreme wildfires.

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Latest Policy News

Wildfire smoke rising above tree tops.

The Nature Conservancy's Statement on UN Global Climate Report

Latest UN climate report shows that the world isn't cutting greenhouse gas emissions fast enough or making enough nature-positive investments.

Arial image of wetlands.

Supreme Court Weakens EPA’s Authority to Enforce Clean Water Act

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today to limit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to protect critical wetlands and the health of U.S. waterways.

A stand of old-growth trees in daytime.

The Nature Conservancy Applauds Steps Toward Climate-Smart Management of National Forests

The Biden administration yesterday released the first-ever inventory of mature and old-growth forests on federal land across the United States.

The reclaimed Starfire mine in eastern Kentucky has low vegetation, a line of small trees, and a gravel road, with hills and sky in the distance.

BrightNight, Rivian and The Nature Conservancy Unite to Transform Starfire Coal Mine into Kentucky’s Largest Renewable Power Project

CEOs announce innovative renewable energy project built on a coal mine that will honor Kentucky’s legacy as an energy producer while benefiting climate, conservation, and local communities.

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