1902
First meeting of the Association advocates end to spring waterfowl hunting and mandatory state hunting licenses to fund wildlife management.
1920
The Association advocates legislation to protect migratory birds and fish. In 1913, the Weeks-McLean bill is passed, putting migratory birds under federal protection, and in 1916, the Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada is signed for the protection of migratory birds.
1921
The Association lobbies over the next eight years for legislation to acquire and manage federal wildlife refuges. In 1929, the Migratory Bird Conservation Act finally passes, authorizing the acquisition of waterfowl refuges.
1931
The Association proposes and supports $1.00 federal migratory bird hunting license to purchase and maintain federal waterfowl refuges. Three years later, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act becomes a law.
1936
The Association supports a proposal to create a trust fund for wildlife restoration.
1947
The Association endorses the Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (D-J) Act, creating a trust fund from user fees in the form of excise taxes on fishing equipment for fisheries management. In 1950, the bill passes and produces $3 million for state fish restoration projects in its first year.
1973
The Association participates in development of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Over the next ten years, the Association helps fine-tune CITES shortcomings in Congressional hearings and through Endangered Species Act amendments.
1977
The Association supports expansion of D-J program that adds a 3% tax on the sale of boats and motors. In 1984, that proposal becomes a reality with the passage of the Wallop-Breaux Act. As a result, fishery resources funding to states increases three-fold.
1985
The Association works with conservation and agricultural organizations to develop conservation principles to be incorporated in the 1985 Farm Bill. This results in the Conservation Reserve Program, the Wetlands Reserve Program and the Swampbuster and Sodbuster provisions - all of which are designed to achieve the twin objectives of price stability and conservation stewardship of agricultural lands. The Association continues to fine-tune the provisions of the Farm bill every five years, with special attention given to wetlands and solving on -the-ground problems.
1986
North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) is signed, culminating a 56-year-old the Association effort to coordinate programs to restore and manage waterfowl populations and their habitats.
1987
The Association develops the Proactive Strategies Program to help states make a planned and progressive effort to battle misinformation and political interests by building strong public support for sound wildlife management.
1990
The Association is a leader in the effort to pass the North American Wetlands Conservation Act which provides funding to implement the NAWMP. The Association spearheads initiative to expand state-level conservation efforts and forms the Fish & Wildlife Diversity Steering Committee to develop proposal later known as teaming With Wildlife.
1995
The Association, providing ongoing leadership for the Partners in Flight program begun in 1990, obtains a grant form USFWS Federal Aid office to provide specific assistance to Partners in Flight to expedite and enhance the development of conservation plans for migratory birds.
1996
The Association leads a national coalition of more than 1,200 groups supporting Teaming With Wildlife, a major effort to expand the funding and constituent base for fish and wildlife restoration and management. The Association is active in identifying responsible reforms to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the 1996 Farm bill while maintaining the strength of the conservation provisions to protect fish and wildlife.
1999
The bipartisan Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA, H.R. 701) passed a major milestone on November 10, 1999 when the House Resources Committee voted to forward this historic conservation legislation to the House floor for full consideration. The landmark legislation would provide conservation with the largest infusion of federal funds in history, $44 billion over the next 15 years, most of which will go to various state and local conservation programs, including state-level wildlife conservation. "This vote is a major victory for our nation’s wildlife," said R. Max Peterson, Executive Vice President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (at the time "International Association"), "It signifies this Congress’s commitment to the conservation and restoration of our precious wildlife, lands and coastal areas."
2000
The watchwords for success in the 106th Congress must be bipartisanship and collegiality. With the numbers even closer in the House after the last election, cooperation across the aisle will be essential to succeed with legislative initiatives. From the conservation perspective, perhaps the only major legislative proposal that has a chance of making it to the President’s desk is the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (HR701 and S25). These bills, with solid bipartisan support in both houses, are among the highest priorities of the principal sponsors, Cong. Don Young (AK), Chairman of the House Resources Committee, and Sen. Frank Murkowski (AK), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Both have committed to getting a bill passed this year, since 2000 is a presidential election year and most major initiatives get mired in the politics of this election.
2002
The Association celebrates its 100th Anniversary by holding it's 2002 meeting in Big Sky, Montana. The first meeting of the Association was held in West Yellowstone, Montana in 1902.
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