The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $21 million in 10 more projects to increase public access to private land for wildlife-dependent recreation. The work is meant to benefit farmers, ranchers and private landowners, USDA said. The projects include a $3 million Texas project with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
The funding comes through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, run by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The program helps state and tribal governments encourage private landowners to open their land to hunting, fishing and other wildlife recreation. The second round of awards includes projects in Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
Acting Texas State Conservationist Clint Evans said the program lets NRCS work with state and tribal partners to provide recreational access to private land and support rural communities. USDA said the Working Families Tax Cuts Act restored funding for the program. NRCS awarded $49 million to 19 projects in a first round announced in July 2026, bringing the total to $70 million for 29 projects. For the Texas project, TPWD proposes to expand public hunting areas and days and increase the acreage of its leased public access program.