Thousands of miles separate Washington, D.C., from the Alaskan coastal plains where polar bear moms raise their cubs. But decisions made on Capitol Hill can have life-or-death implications for polar bears and other vulnerable wildlife—in the Arctic and across the nation. 

Earlier this month, Congress made several such decisions as part of a broad budget reconciliation package, which was signed into law on July 4 after weeks of debate. That debate included fast-paced, sometimes confusing back-and-forth over provisions that have profound effects on wildlife and our lands, waters, air, and climate.

Input from wildlife supporters made a major difference during the process, blunting the impact of some of the most harmful proposals originally on the table. Still, several provisions will make it more challenging to address the crises facing wildlife and the natural world.

Lawmakers are already beginning to consider funding legislation for fiscal year 2026, and proposals from the final reconciliation package could come back into play during these key discussions. So here’s where the bill landed on three crucial issues for wildlife:

1. Advocates kept millions of acres of public lands from being sold off

A proposal to sell up to 3.3 million acres of federally-owned land across 11 western states was completely scrapped in the final reconciliation bill. That’s because a passionate coalition of hunters, anglers, recreationists, and wildlife supporters spoke up. More than 48,000 people participated in public lands advocacy efforts organized by the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund between April and June. 

However, the new law still includes worrying threats to public lands. It rolls back smart policies that safeguarded wildlife and benefitted taxpayers by ensuring oil and gas companies paid their fair market rates to operate on public lands. And several provisions will increase logging, mining, and drilling activity on federal land—including in treasured wild places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

2. Bedrock environmental protections weakened

Under the new law, companies will be able to pay a small opt-in fee to gain expedited reviews, permitting, and approval for any project that could harm wildlife habitat and our lands, waters, climate, and air.

The provision weakens the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—the landmark law that has helped give communities a voice on major infrastructure projects and save habitats for countless wildlife species for 50 years.

However, as with some of the bill’s clean energy provisions, the changes to NEPA could have been worse. The original language would have prevented the abbreviated reviews from being challenged in court, cutting out a crucial opportunity for communities and wildlife advocates to stand up for clean air, soil, and water. 

3. Major blows to climate and clean energy softened slightly

The reconciliation bill clawed back and steeply cut incentives for clean energy, energy efficiency, and clean manufacturing, which will result in more expensive energy bills for people like you and me and make it harder to reduce and stop fossil fuel pollution.

Some harmful provisions relating to clean energy were relaxed slightly in response to pressure from advocates. One of the most alarming proposals—a steep tax on most solar and wind projects—was removed in the final days of debate. 

Even amidst these losses on clean energy, the final bill demonstrates that advocacy can make a difference. And it’s critically important to keep up the pressure when it comes to climate change. From polar bears struggling to find sea ice to sea level rise flooding the nests of saltmarsh sparrows, our planet’s continued warming threatens many species—not to mention our own mounting challenges with flooding, heat waves, and other disasters.

Takeaways for wildlife

The budget reconciliation package presents major challenges when it comes to protecting wildlife. Polar bears, for example, may face more drilling near their Arctic homes and less investment in preserving their icy habitats. 

But the final legislation also shows that advocacy and engagement can affect outcomes. People sent more than 265,000 messages and calls to lawmakers about the reconciliation bill through National Wildlife Federation Action Fund campaigns. These policy wins, even tiny ones, can prevent some harm to bald eagles, monarch butterflies, and countless other vulnerable species whose habitats are on the line.

American wildlife is facing a crisis, and we can’t afford to lose momentum. Join our friends at the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund in urging Congress to reject further cuts to conservation efforts and programs that protect bald eagles, monarch butterflies, polar bears, and so many more fragile and beloved species in America.

Source: Public Lands