Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Support Seedling Nurseries and Reforestation Efforts

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have introduced the Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025, a bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting the development of seedling nurseries and reforestation efforts nationwide. The bill allows funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to be used to expand critical nurseries and provide native seedlings for the U.S. Forest Service and other federal, state, and local agencies. Without sufficient funding, seedling supplies will not keep pace with reforestation efforts, disrupting ecosystems and critical benefits. The legislation aims to address this shortage and support critical reforestation and habitat restoration programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act allows funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the development of seedling nurseries at state forestry agencies, local private or non-profit entities, and institutions of higher education.
  • The bill aims to address the shortage of native seedlings for reforestation and habitat restoration programs, which have disrupted ecosystems and critical benefits.
  • Texas, with roughly 60 million acres of forest land, is slated to receive significant support from the bill.
  • The legislation will enable the expansion of critical nurseries, like the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora, to supply more drought-tolerant tree seedlings.
  • New Mexico State University will receive support to continue and expand its production of tree seedlings at the John T Harrington Forestry Research Center.
  • The bill will provide New Mexico with much-needed support to develop its state nursery and increase the production of drought-tolerant tree seedlings.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. has lost tree cover at an alarming rate over the last 20 years, disrupting ecosystems and critically important benefits.
  • New Mexico and Texas are severely impacted by this issue, with critical reforestation efforts underway to restore healthy and resilient forests.
  • The Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act aims to support reforestation and habitat restoration programs across the country, addressing a significant shortage of native seedlings.
  • The U.S. Forest Service and other federal, state, and local agencies will benefit from the increased capacity of seedling nurseries and native seedlings provided by the bill.
  • The legislation will provide millions of dollars in funding to support the expansion of critical nurseries and reforestation efforts.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan
  • U.S. Senator John Cornyn
  • U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
  • Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department Cabinet Secretary Melanie Kenderdine
  • New Mexico State University President Valerio Ferme
  • Original text: https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-cornyn-heinrich-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-development-of-seedling-nurseries-reforestation-and-habitat-restoration-programs-2/