The Association was originally founded as the National Association of Game Wardens and Commissioners in 1902 when eight wildlife agents from six states came together in Yellowstone National Park to begin “a system of mutually beneficial interstate cooperation in game and fish management.” The Constitution and Bylaws of the Association were enacted in 1947 and amended at subsequent meetings, most recently in September 2008. The current name, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, was adopted in 1976.

The Constitution and Bylaws list five objectives for the Association:

(1) To advocate for professional management of fish and wildlife resources in accordance with the tenets of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and its two basic principles, that our fish and wildlife belong to all North American citizens, and are to be managed in such a way that their populations will be sustained forever and to further advocate for the doctrine of primacy of state management authority for resident wildlife.

(2) To advocate for the enactment of laws and regulations for the conservation and restoration of fish and wildlife resources and the habitats on which they depend and to foster informed public support for such laws and regulations.

(3) To pursue all such legal and other proper actions as will further the cause of maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife populations on this continent.

(4) To facilitate public understanding of, and appreciation for, the economic and ethical importance of conserving our fish and wildlife heritage, both as part of natural and managed ecosystems and as a source of recreation and food for our citizens;

(5) To coordinate the efforts of public administrative agencies responsible for the protection, conservation and management of North America’s fish and wildlife populations, and the habitats on which they depend; to cultivate cooperative relations and mutual understanding among those officially engaged in the conservation and management of our natural resources.

The success of the Association members in meeting these objectives largely depends on adherence to the principles of the North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. The Association formally endorsed the North American Model at its 100 year anniversary meeting September 2002 in Big Sky, Montana. The recommendations adopted by the Association in endorsing the North American Model were as follows:

• Maintain principal authority and control over all wildlife at the state/provincial/territorial levels except in those cases where authority is specifically relegated to the federal government.

• Remain diligent in meeting obligations pertaining to importation, possession and use of wildlife; combat illegal trafficking, market hunting and commercialization of wildlife; and allocate surplus wildlife by law rather than markets or land ownership.

• Maintain wildlife as a public trust.

• Use scientific principles to improve resource management.

• Perpetuate the role of hunting and fishing and trapping in the North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

• Conduct our activities in a manner that will allow society to be satisfied with our leadership in the moral, ethical and humane nature of our business.

The Association's strategic plan, Call for the Future 2009-2013, will be used by members to pursue our official objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible while adhering to the principles of the North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

Mission

Protect state, provincial and territorial authority for wildlife conservation; promote sound resource management; and strengthen federal, state, provincial, territorial and private cooperation in conserving fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest.

Vision

Healthy fish and wildlife resources throughout North America managed by effective, well-funded fish and wildlife agencies supported by informed and involved citizens.

Critical Issues

The critical issues facing the Association, its members and the fish and wildlife resources can be summarized into five broad categories:

(1) Adequate funding to support wildlife conservation from the full array of public beneficiaries

(2) New research to address emerging issues including fish and wildlife diseases, climate change, energy development, water development, invasive species and landscape-level management

(3) Public and political interest in fish and wildlife

(4) Application of the Public Trust Doctrine and Democratic Rule of Law to fish and wildlife management

(5) New generation of fifh and wildlife conservation leaders

Strategic Focus Areas

Fish & Wildlife Funding

Secure dedicated funding for wildlife action plan implementation that builds on the success of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds.
Secure funding to address the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife.
Provide leadership on reauthorization of the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, especially for fisheries management funding.
Assist with the delivery of Farm Bill conservation title dollars.
Evaluate the Administration's annual budget and provide comments to Congress.
Maintain and strengthen support for excise tax-based funding models.
Coordinate support for and reauthorization of bird conservation legislation (NAWCA, Neotrop Act, etc.)

Legislation

Monitor, comment on and advocate for member interests in upcoming legislation to ensure fish and wildlife priorities are addressed.
Secure passage of legislation in support of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
Engage actively with members of Congress to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding.
Provide legal analysis and counsel.
Advocate for members in international assemblies and enhance state/federal statutory partnerships by working cooperatively on international fish and wildlife policy.
Coordinate member agencies’ positions at North American Regional conferences and positions of the U.S. on certain Multilateral Environmental Agreements with the European Economic Community.

Program/Project Coordination

Provide mechanisms to collaborate and coordinate on cross-cutting member issues and species-based interests including:
- Bird Conservation
- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
- CITES
- Endangered Species
- Energy Development
- Human Dimensions
- Invasive Species
- National Fish Habitat Action Plan
- Trap testing
- Wildlife Action Plans
- Other Science, Research & Monitoring Initiatives
Coordinate outreach and education interests in support of the North American Conservation Education Strategy.
Manage agency-industry partnership and support hunter/angler recruitment and retention initiatives.
Coordinate the application and selection process for the Multistate Conservation Grant Program.
Support member involvement in bird conservation initiatives and Joint Ventures.

Member Services

Ensure continuing opportunities for director-driven engagement and leadership on behalf of the Association.
Implement new communications channels for efficient in-reach to member organizations and outreach to media and the public.
Offer leadership and organizational development training and consulting to member agencies.
Organize Annual Meetings and other opportunities for member collaboration and networking.
Commit to effective and efficient use of fiscal resources.
Offer proficient office management and member services.

Download a PDF version of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' Strategic Plan Call for the Future 2009-2013.

Download a PDF of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' recommendations to President-elect Barack Obama entitled “Furthering Conservation in the Public Interest: A National Fish and Wildlife Agenda,” which includes a two-page summary and policy analysis white papers.