The United States provides foreign assistance to address international conservation in the form of financial, programmatic, and technical support. International conservation activities include protecting biodiversity, restoring habitat, supporting the management of protected areas, and promoting community-based conservation, among others. Several federal agencies administer these programs, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of State (State), among others.
Table 1 lists selected U.S. international programs that address conservation and their enacted funding levels for FY2023-FY2026 and the Administration's budget request for FY2027. The funding in Table 1 is for specific programs, financial commitments to certain international treaties or organizations, and line items in appropriations laws or committee reports that identify funding for a set of activities. This list is not exhaustive; other programs where conservation may be a secondary objective may not be listed. Table 1 does not include funding provided outside of regular discretionary appropriations (e.g., supplemental appropriations).
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was dismantled and ceased operations in July 2025. Some of the programs and activities it conducted were transferred to State. In these instances, both entities are noted in the column. Further, the appropriations reported in Table 1 do not reflect any potential rescission and reallocation of funding or dissolution of programs.
Table 1. Enacted Appropriations from FY2023 to FY2026 and the FY2027 Budget Request for Selected Federal Programs that Address International Conservation
(nominal, $ in millions)
|
Program |
Description |
FY2023 |
FY2024 |
FY2025 |
FY2026 |
FY2027 Request |
|
U.S. Foundation for National Security and Counterterrorism |
The foundation was authorized under P.L. 118-159 as the Foundation for International Conservation. P.L. 119-75 changed the name to the U.S. Foundation for National Security and Counterterrorism. It aims to provide grants to conserve managed and protected areas in eligible foreign countries. |
Not Applicable |
$100.0 |
$0.0 |
$100.0 |
$0.0 |
|
Department of State (State)/U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—International Biodiversity Programs |
These programs fund conservation activities in foreign countries to maintain biodiversity and environmental services. |
Not less than $385.0 |
Not less than $365.8 |
Not less than $365.8 |
$274.3 |
n/a |
|
State/USAID—Sustainable Landscapes Program (also known as Natural Climate Solutions) |
This program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. |
$185.0 |
Not less than $175.8 |
Not less than $175.8 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
|
State—International Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking Programs |
These programs fund activities to reduce wildlife trafficking. A portion of funds is for in-country programs in Africa and Asia; another portion is for the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Program (INL). |
$175.0 ($50.0 for INL and not less than $125.0 for other accounts) |
Not less than $118.8 |
Not less than $118.8 |
$89.1 |
n/a |
|
State—Illegal Logging and Deforestation |
Funding is appropriated to prevent illegal logging practices consistent with the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. §§3371-3378) and reduce deforestation. |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$25.0 |
n/a |
|
State—Land Use, Management, and Protection |
Funding is to be used to conserve terrestrial and marine resources, including critical forests. In addition, funds are provided to prevent deforestation and counter illicit logging. |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$131.8 |
n/a |
|
State—International Conservation Programs |
Funding for these programs supports commitments under international treaties that address conservation, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). |
$9.0 |
$8.6 |
n/a |
$0.0 |
n/a |
|
State—UN Environmental Programs |
Funding goes toward the UN Environmental Program and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, among other organizations. |
$10.2 |
$9.7 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
|
Department of the Treasury (Treasury)—Global Environment Facility |
Global Environment Facility is a multilateral environmental trust fund that supports projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, the ozone layer, land degradation, and persistent organic pollutants. |
$150.2 |
$150.2 |
$150.2 |
$150.2 |
$0.0 |
|
Treasury—Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation |
This program funds "debt-for-nature" transactions, in which a portion of a developing country's debt is exchanged for funds to conserve tropical forests and coral reefs. |
$20.0 |
$15.0 |
$15.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
|
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—International Marine Turtle Management and Conservation Program |
This program has provided grants for projects that support conservation, protection, or management actions that aim to recover protected sea turtle species with linkages to the Pacific Islands region. |
$0.5 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
|
NOAA—International Coral Reef Conservation Grants and Cooperative Agreements |
This grant program has provided funds for international coral reef conservation projects that aim to conserve the ability of coral reefs to withstand and recover from stress. |
$1.0 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
|
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)—Multinational Species Conservation Fund (MSCF) |
The MSCF issues grants to conserve certain species, including African and Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, tortoises, freshwater turtles, and marine turtles. |
$21.0 |
$20.5 |
$20.5 |
$21.0 |
$0.0 |
|
FWS—Neotropical Migratory Bird Fund |
This fund provides grants for the conservation of bird species that migrate among North and South America and the Caribbean. |
$5.1 |
$5.0 |
$5.0 |
$5.0 |
$0.0 |
|
FWS—International Affairs Program |
This program addresses the implementation of U.S. wildlife laws and two subprograms listed below. |
$29.1 |
$28.6 |
$28.6 |
$28.6 |
$20.5 |
|
FWS International Conservation Subprogram |
This program provides financial assistance to conserve high-priority species and habitats. |
$10.1 |
$9.9 |
$9.9 |
$9.9 |
$7.5 |
|
FWS International Wildlife Trade Subprogram |
This program implements CITES and various U.S. laws to ensure the international wildlife trade is not harmful to species. |
$19.0 |
$18.7 |
$18.7 |
$18.7 |
$13.0 |
|
U.S. Forest Service—International Program |
This program promotes sustainable forest management internationally, which includes managing protected areas and engaging in landscape-level forest planning. |
$20.0 |
$19.0 |
$9.1 |
$19.0 |
$0.0 |
Source: Congressional Research Service from FY2023-FY2026 appropriations laws and committee reports and congressional budget request documents for NOAA and the Departments of the Interior and State for FY2024-FY2027.
Notes: Not applicable = the program does not exist for the fiscal year noted. Not available (n/a) = Funding for program is neither reported in law nor specified in a budget justification.
Julia Manyin, CRS Research Assistant, contributed to this Insight.