2026 Audubon Great Plains Legislative Wrap-up

This legislative session underscored both the challenges and opportunities of advancing conservation policy—and the impact coordinated advocacy can have. Across Nebraska and South Dakota (North Dakota was not in session), we worked alongside partners to defend critical conservation funding, advance practical land management policy, and elevate science-based decision making.

Nebraska: Protecting the Environmental Trust, Prescribed Fire and Renewable Energy
Our primary focus in Nebraska was defending the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET), a key source of conservation funding supporting wildlife habitat, water, soil management, air quality, and waste management in all 93 Nebraska counties.

This year, NET faced a major threat when the Governor proposed sweeping $40.7 million from the Trust. In response, we convened a coalition of conservation organizations, landowners, sportsmen, community leaders, and advocates to protect NET.

That work mattered. Although some funds were swept, appropriators reduced the total to $13.5 million, preserving most NET resources. Audubon members took action 294 times, responding to alerts and contacting policymakers to support this effort.

Alongside the budget debate, we worked to advance LR298CA, a constitutional amendment to protect NET from future sweeps. The bill advanced out of committee unanimously, and our advocacy led to Senator Tom Brandt naming this as his priority bill. Ultimately, the bill was passed over on the floor after misinformation shared by opposing senators weakened support.

We also supported LB823, introduced by Senator Dave Wordekemper, which represents an important step toward recognizing the role of prescribed fire in Nebraska as a science-based land management tool that improves ecosystem health and reduces wildfire risk. This bill advance through the Legislature and was approved by the Governor.

On renewable energy, we opposed two bills that would have hindered progress and supported one that would promote responsible, habitat-friendly development. Learn more on page 12.

South Dakota Engagement
In South Dakota, we supported HB1001, which passed and allows for prescribed burning of Title VI land (state-owned land along the Missouri River) by a person owning and/or operating adjoining land.

This common sense reform removes barriers to responsible land stewardship and reflects growing recognition of prescribed fire as a valuable land management tool.

We also engaged in legislation to end South Dakota’s Nest Predator Bounty Program. This program paid participants $10 per tail for raccoons, badgers, and other small mammal predators, with the intent to boost pheasant and duck populations. However, scientific research shows that this approach is ineffective. Removing small mammal predators doesn't impact populations unless it is very localized and intensive. Using those funds to increase and improve habitat would have a significantly greater impact. Although the bill did not advance, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee expressed interest in shifting the program toward youth trapping, and the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks later advanced a resolution to end the Nest Predator Bounty Program and transition it into a Youth Trapping Recruitment Program and the Coyote Bounty Program.

Looking Ahead
Looking ahead to the 2027 legislative session across the Great Plains, we will engage new incoming legislators, and develop legislative champions to advance key policy priorities aligned with our Healthy Birds, Healthy Planet policy agenda, including strengthening long-term protections for conservation funding.