NASHVILLE, TN – The newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent funding increases for conservation programs while canceling unspent funds from climate-based forestry programs.
Under the law, unspent Inflation Reduction Act dollars for conservation are folded into long-term USDA baselines. That funding is no longer limited to climate-smart practices and will support traditional conservation efforts beyond 2026.
Meanwhile, the law rescinds unobligated IRA funds for wildfire prevention and forest health. Projects with obligated funds may continue, but no new climate-related forestry efforts will be funded under the IRA.
Conservation groups say the shift offers long-term budget stability but reduces momentum on climate resilience.