The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) strongly supports today’s boost in federal funds for big game migration habitat. Nearly $10 million in federal, private, and tribal funds were announced today after the Make America Beautiful Commission meeting. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will award funds to projects through its competitive proposal program, the Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund.

“As the generator of more than $11.5 million of funding last year toward our purpose to put and keep wild sheep on the mountain, the Wild Sheep Foundation welcomes this expansion of federal support for western big game species,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation.

Projects funded by this federal program will improve habitat in areas identified by state wildlife agencies as used by big game species during their transition between summer and winter ranges. Habitat projects also work with highway crossing projects to improve human and wildlife safety, where these animals encounter vehicle traffic the most.

“Secretary Burgum and Fish and Wildlife Service Director Nesvik are moving in the right direction for wildlife,” added Thornton.  “More species, and more areas—especially in winter ranges—will benefit from this work.  This is a strong beginning for the Make America Beautiful Commission.”

Thornton said, “This renewed attention will enable state agencies, tribes, hunting groups, and other partners to expand the results and scope of the program.  As of 2020, public and private funding had surpassed $40 million, completed 73 projects for habitat improvement, research, and mapping across 11 western states.”

Big game species such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn are the lifeblood of rural economies and western ecosystems. The success of their migrations and other movements, as they traverse quality habitat, not only circulates protein throughout the system but also saves lives on our highways.

“The Make America Beautiful Commission’s charter is full of opportunity,” Thornton added. “We look forward to working with the administration to realize its potential.”

The Make America Beautiful Commission was established by a Trump Administration Executive Order 14313 on July 3, 2025, to:

(a) promote responsible stewardship of natural resources while driving economic growth;
(b) expand access to public lands and waters for recreation, hunting, and fishing;
(c) encourage responsible, voluntary conservation efforts;
(d) cut bureaucratic delays that hinder effective environmental management; and
(e) recover America’s fish and wildlife populations

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Mont., was founded in 1977 by sportsmen and other wild sheep conservationists. WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, having raised and expended more than $145 million, positively impacting these species through population and habitat enhancements, research and education, and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe, and Asia "To Put and Keep Wild Sheep On the Mountain”. In North America, these and other efforts have increased bighorn sheep populations from historic lows in the 1950s-60s of 25,000 to more than 85,000 today. WSF has a membership of more than 11,000 worldwide. 

Tags: Advocacy, Press Release