NFWF and McDonald's USA launched a $42 million conservation initiative on April 7, 2026, awarding $32.8 million in grants to six organizations to support ranchers, improve soil health and protect wildlife across U.S. grasslands, a move that directly impacts agricultural productivity and the beef supply chain.

The funding is part of the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, supported by partners including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and is expected to generate nearly $42 million in total conservation impact when combined with $9.1 million in matching contributions. The effort will reach close to 2.5 million acres of working lands, with a broader goal of 4 million acres nationwide.

Six initial grantees, including American Farmland Trust and National Audubon Society, will work with more than 750 ranch operations across 26 states, implementing conservation practices designed to strengthen both environmental outcomes and operational efficiency.

Among the key actions are improved grazing management plans, installation of wildlife-friendly fencing and water systems, reseeding of native grasses and removal of invasive species, along with water infrastructure improvements to support aquifer recharge and stabilize supply. These practices aim to enhance forage quality, livestock performance and long-term land productivity, while reducing risks associated with drought and land degradation.

The initiative, launched in 2025, outlines a seven-year investment strategy exceeding $200 million, focused on major cattle-producing regions such as the Great Plains, Midwest and Rocky Mountain West. These areas are critical to U.S. livestock production, making conservation measures closely tied to commodity stability and ranch profitability.

Corporate participation includes companies such as Cargill and The Coca-Cola Company, reflecting increasing alignment between supply chain actors and sustainability goals. Independent monitoring will track improvements in soil health and water systems, providing measurable benchmarks tied to conservation outcomes.

Within the program, NFWF will manage funding distribution and coordinate with federal and private partners to scale voluntary conservation efforts across priority landscapes, integrating ranch-level practices with broader ecosystem objectives.