State Fish & Wildlife Agency Directors Pass Ten Resolutions at AFWA’s 2019 Annual Meeting

October 3, 2019

The voting membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies passed ten resolutions during its Business Meeting held on September 25, 2019.

RESOLUTION #2019-01-10: Promoting a Coordinated Response to the Pervasive Loss of North American Birds

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recognizes the seriousness and urgency of this loss of bird abundance across North America, and commits to joining in the response by a unified wildlife conservation community to achieve healthy populations of all bird species by replicating the known successes for waterfowl and other game species, and leveraging the existing scientific expertise and resources within the bird conservation community.

RESOLUTION #2019-02-10: Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recognizes the substantial accomplishments of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and its valuable contributions to the conservation of our wetland and associated upland resources in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and reaffirms its support for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to the Administration, the Congress, and the North American people and that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies supports continuation of the current funding sources for NAWCA from federal appropriations; and the dedication of interest derived from the Wildlife Restoration account.

RESOLUTION #2019-03-10: Promoting the American System of Conservation Funding

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the state fish and wildlife agencies and other partners recognize and invite the airgun industry to become a contributing partner to the American System of Conservation Funding; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the state fish and wildlife agencies commit to working collectively with the airgun industry on legislative efforts intended to include them as contributors to the American System of Conservation Funding which supports the management of fish and wildlife resources and the growth of hunting and fishing.

RESOLUTION #2019-04-10: Demonstrating Support and Need for the Passage of the Modernizing the Pittman-Roberson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act

Now, therefore, be it resolved, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the passage of the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act in the 116th Congress.

RESOLUTION #2019-05-10: Addressing the Long-Term Decline in Small Game Hunter Participation in the United States and Mitigating Its Effects on Habitat Conservation Delivery

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that AFWA finds the decline in small game hunter participation is a serious national conservation concern that will require a coordinated effort among states to understand and address; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFWA directs its Bird Conservation Committee and Hunting/Shooting Sports Participation Committee to cooperatively assess this challenge of declining small game hunting participation, and present a prioritized list of key questions or issues and recommended steps for subsequent actions to this body in a timely manner.

RESOLUTION #2019-06-10: Reaffirming Support for Sustainable Use and Regulated Trade

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies reaffirms its support for the sustainable use and regulated trade of fish and wildlife.

RESOLUTION #2019-07-10: Western Invasive Plant Management: An Action Plan for the Sagebrush Biome

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) supports the recognitions and implementation of the Western Invasive Plant Management: An Action Plan for the Sagebrush Biome by the impacted states and entities as the framework for addressing the management and control of invasive plants in the sagebrush biome; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFWA supports the implementation of the specific actions identified in the plan to address the four challenges and barriers categories, and fully supports efforts to annually review and update the Action Plan to adapt to changing conditions.  

RESOLUTION #2019-08-10: Support for the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program Funding and the Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife Campaign

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association stands ready to work with the Blue Ribbon Panel members, the Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife, the US Congress, the Administration, and others to create a 21st century conservation funding model that provides states, territories, and the District of Columbia with sustained and dedicated funding to conserve all fish and wildlife and their habitats by enacting the “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act;” and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association strongly supports the “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act” and respectfully requests that US Congress to take immediate action to conserve the diverse array America’s fish and wildlife today, before it becomes more biologically and ecologically difficult and more economically expensive, by enacting “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act” as soon as possible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association will continue to develop guidance and recommendations in support of the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendation on relevancy, which will ensure state fish and wildlife agencies remain relevant and supported by all citizens well into the future.

RESOLUTION #2019-09-10: Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, adopts and supports the implementation of the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap, recognizing that each fish and wildlife agency may implement it in a manner and within a timeframe that meets its needs, interests and capacities.

RESOLUTION #2019-10-10: Appreciation to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

WHEREAS, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies convened its 109th Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, an industrious and neighborly city overlooking the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Minnesota River, on September 22-25, 2019; and

WHEREAS, the amenities of our host city, its gracious residents and most of all the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ tireless and dedicated staff offered us a cordial and vibrant atmosphere in which to carry out the business of fish and wildlife conservation, and deepen and broaden our vital connections to each other; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota’s residents and visitors enjoy a strong connection with the state’s bounty of native mammals including white-tailed deer, bobcat, moose and ruffed grouse, waterfowl including its state bird the loon, birds of prey and sport fish—a legacy whose importance is reflected in Minnesota’s place in AFWA history as one of the six founding states of the National Association of Game and Fish Wardens and Commissioners in 1902; and

WHEREAS, Sarah Strommen, Commissioner of Minnesota DNR and her outstanding staff gave abundantly of their time, hospitality and support, going above and beyond in all aspects of their roles as Annual Meeting hosts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Association extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for hosting a highly successful, productive, and enjoyable 2019 AFWA Annual Meeting.

Read full text of all resolutions.

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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.