The Association Applauds Passage of Legislation Enabling Conservation Partnerships

December 18, 2024

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Congress for securing final passage of the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act (WILD Act, HR 5009). Today, the Senate passed the bill as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, following House passage of the package late last week.  

“We thank Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership in the Senate, and Representatives Joyce (R-OH-14) and Dingell (D-MI-6) along with the many cosponsors for championing this critical legislation through the House,” said Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association. “Conservation is a truly nonpartisan priority supported by the vast majority of Americans, and we commend Congress for ensuring these programs continue.”

Once enacted, the WILD Act will reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (Partners Program), which has enabled restoration of more than six million acres of habitat by bringing together state, federal, tribal, and private partners. In addition to reauthorizing the Partners Program, the bill will reauthorize and improve administrative flexibility for the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which help conserve some of the world’s most iconic species, including rhinos, elephants, tigers, great apes, and turtles.

The Association also thanks Resident Commissioner Colon (R-PR) and Representatives Costa (D-CA-21), Carter (R-GA-1), Thompson (D-CA-4) and Garbarino (R-NY-2) for their support as original cosponsors of the WILD Act.

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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.