Legislation Introduced to Extend Nation’s Most Successful Heritage Land Preservation Program

(Washington, D.C.) — Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2025 (S.3524), extending a highly successful heritage land conservation program and a major investment in historic battlefield preservation in time for America's 250th birthday. 

The bill would reauthorize three American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) grant programs through 2035, designating $20 million annually and lowering barriers to participation by local and regional nonprofits and battlefield park friends groups. Additionally, the legislation would direct the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior to prepare studies of sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War.

For a quarter-century, the ABPP's Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program (BLAG) has been the principal mechanism for public-private partnerships to preserve these irreplaceable historic landscapes. This funding stream is more important than ever as land prices skyrocket throughout the nation, driven by an explosion of data centers and related commercial development that is pushing per-acre acquisition costs to record highs.

More than $235 million in federal funding has been competitively awarded through the program, matched many times over by private sector contributions and state and local grants. This process has allowed the American Battlefield Trust and other nonprofit groups to save more than 36,000 acres in 20 states. 

“From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, Pennsylvania’s battlefields stand as powerful reminders of pivotal moments that shaped our nation’s history and our future,” stated Senator McCormick. “By preserving and protecting these sacred battlefields, we honor the contributions of all Americans, educate future generations, and drive increased economic benefits for local communities by attracting visitors eager to learn and explore.”  

“From Yorktown to Appomattox to the Pentagon, the map of Virginia is a map of America’s military history,” noted Senator Kaine. “Especially as we come up on America’s 250th birthday, it’s critical that we ensure our country’s battlefields are preserved, so future generations can visit and learn about their importance. Last year, the President signed my bipartisan bill, the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act, into law to help us do that. I’m glad to work alongside Senator McCormick to build on that progress by further supporting the program.” 

American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan praised the bipartisan action, remarking: “When preserved and interpreted, America’s battlegrounds tap into the power of place and serve as outdoor classrooms to educate both current and future generations about some of the most fundamental moments in our country’s history. Past Congresses had the vision to create meaningful mechanisms to safeguard these important landscapes, and this new legislation boldly extends and expands that endeavor.”   

Currently, BLAG funding can be used to preserve land outside NPS boundaries at high-priority battlefields from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War. The bill directs NPS to investigate the feasibility of expanding eligibility for BLAG grants to sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican–American War, building on 2020 studies funded by ABPP and conducted by Michigan State University and the American Battlefield Trust. It also includes targeted improvements to BLAG’s sister programs: the Battlefield Interpretation Modernization Grant Program and the Battlefield Restoration Grant Program. Most significantly, it decreases the restoration grant private match requirement to 25 percent, lowering the fundraising barrier for local organizations and battlefield park friends groups.   

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org. 

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