One Federation Across America
Wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems cross state lines; so too do our conservation efforts. That’s why common ground and collaborative partnerships are an integral part of our nonpartisan, “Big Tent” approach. Our unique One Federation foundation furthers the intentional and inclusive collaboration necessary for lasting and systemic change.
A Collaborative Process for Policy Resolution
At NWF’s Annual Meeting, our 52 state and territorial Affiliates propose policy resolutions on timely and important conservation issues, working through a collaborative deliberation process to pass resolutions that become the basis for NWF’s policy positions, forming the backbone of NWF’s work. Over the years, resolutions have provided the foundation and direction for NWF and Affiliate organizations to play important roles in many remarkable conservation victories, bringing voices across the country together to protect our public lands, iconic species, and the air, land, and water we all depend on.
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“What truly sets NWF apart is the strength of our Affiliates, independent organizations who come together around the common goal of wildlife conservation. Our work is greatly strengthened when it’s grounded in a science-based, thoughtfully debated position.”
Jessica Holmberg, Senior Director Affiliate Engagement
Policy Resolutions
Check out NWF’s history of policy resolutions from the earliest days to the most recent Annual Meeting in 2025. See how Affiliates across the country unite to affect change.
Funding Promises Finally Fulfilled for Farmers
Consistent and Dedicated Advocacy Yields a Fruitful Harvest
The 2025 budget reconciliation bill included tens of billions of dollars for popular, oversubscribed USDA conservation programs, allowing for more agricultural sustainability practices to germinate and flourish on farms and ranches.
NWF and its Affiliates have been in the fight for sustainable agricultural practices since before the passage of the Farm Bill in 1975 (see policy resolutions adopted in 1984, 1995, and 2010). These USDA programs are extremely popular among farmers, but have frequently been on the chopping block for funding cuts.
In 2021, our Agricultural Policy team decided to think differently. “We used to come at this issue from a defensive position, with our messaging something like, ‘don’t cut us [Farm Bill funding] anymore,’” said Aviva Glaser, senior director of agricultural policy. “Instead, we decided to make our goal to double this funding.”
Groundbreaking Victory Scores $11 billion for Agriculture Conservation
In 2022, an historic win with the Inflation Reduction Act: $20 billion was guaranteed for climate-smart agriculture conservation. This funding was immediately targeted to be moved to other priorities, so the team’s message pivoted to protecting the investment. In February 2023, 644 conservation groups, sportsmen and sportswomen, farmers, food companies, outdoor recreation organizations, and more partners signed on to a letter to Congress asking them to protect the Inflation Reduction Act money and move it into long-term Farm Bill baseline funding.
Ultimately, in a groundbreaking victory, $11 billion for agriculture conservation was added to the baseline budget, ramping up to an additional $2 billion per year to conservation programs by 2028.
“Every step of the way, Affiliates were in lockstep with us — weighing in with lawmakers, doing outreach to farmers and sportsmen in their networks to act as messengers, doing Hill outreach and more.”
AVIVA GLASER
This win for wildlife is truly a win for all.