June 11, 2026 – Washington, D.C. – This week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) 250, which would build on the success of the landmark Great American Outdoors Act signed into law by President Trump in 2020. The bill would invest $1.9 billion annually for five years in the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), a proven conservation investment that helps address long-standing infrastructure needs across America’s public lands while delivering meaningful benefits for wildlife habitat and hunting access.  

"Upland hunters and conservationists benefit when federal agencies have the resources needed to improve wildlife habitat, maintain and increase public access, and ensure future generations can experience our nation’s public lands,” said Andrew Schmidt, director of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever thank Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Great American Outdoors Act 250 to reauthorize and invest in the Legacy Restoration Fund, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance this critical legislation.” 

Since its creation in 2020, the Legacy Restoration Fund has provided critical resources to improve roads and trails, water infrastructure, visitor facilities, and habitat management capabilities on federal lands. Many of these projects have helped restore and enhance grasslands, forests, and other critical habitats that support pheasants, quail, pollinators, and countless other wildlife species. Reauthorization of LRF will ensure federal agencies can continue addressing deferred maintenance projects that support conservation outcomes and public access.  

About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever  

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 500,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 31 million acres. 

Media Contact  
Mikayla Peper  
715-294-0688  
MPeper@quailforever.org