Habitat & Conservation  |  01/28/2025

Kansans for Conservation Introduce House Bill 2063


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Establishes state conservation fund

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to support House Bill 2063, introduced by Kansans for Conservation. Drafted by the coalition, this bill would establish a state conservation fund providing grant programs for conservation efforts relating to working lands, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and education. House Bill 2063 represents a historic effort of collaboration across industry and geography to provide the dedicated funding needed to support Kansas’s natural resources.

"Kansans have made it clear that conservation is a priority, and now is the time to take meaningful action,” said Erika Devore, co-chair of Kansans for Conservation. “With Kansas being one of only 15 states without a dedicated conservation fund, we risk falling further behind in addressing the critical needs of our natural resources. House Bill 2063 is our opportunity to invest in the landscapes and resources that sustain our communities, economy, and way of life. We’re eager to collaborate with lawmakers to make this vision a reality."

One of the key resources supporting HB 2063 is a research report published by Kansas State University in December 2024. The report underscores:

• The growing urgency for conservation funding in Kansas,
• Opportunities lost due to the absence of state-backed initiatives, and
• The potential for significant return on investment through dedicated conservation efforts.

The full research report can be read here.

House Bill 2063 is expected to be referred to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee and will likely be heard in early February. Subscribe to the coalition’s website here for further updates.

Kansans for Conservation
Kansans for Conservation is a coalition of 41-member organizations representing agriculture, recreation, wildlife, and other natural resource interests across the state working together to support conservation funding. A list of coalition member organizations is attached.

For further inquiries, please contact Justin Cobb – justin.cobb@tnc.org, (573) 418-1498