Supporting recognition of 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists".

Plain-English Summary

This bill is a resolution expressing support for the United Nations' designation of 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." Rangelands are large stretches of land — such as grasslands, prairies, and shrublands — used for grazing livestock, while pastoralists are the farmers and herders who raise animals on that land. The resolution would put the United States Congress on record as officially recognizing and supporting this international designation.

The bill does not create any new laws, programs, or funding. Instead, it serves as a symbolic statement of support, acknowledging the importance of rangelands and the people who work on them. It recognizes the role these lands and workers play in food production, rural economies, wildlife habitat, and environmental health, including their potential role in managing land and storing carbon.

This resolution would affect ranchers, farmers, herders, and rural communities across the United States who depend on rangeland for their livelihoods, as well as those involved in conservation and land management. By aligning with the international designation, Congress would be signaling that it values these industries and communities and supports broader global efforts to raise awareness about the challenges they face, such as land degradation and economic pressures.

The bill has been referred to both the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture for review before any potential vote.