Press Releases

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recognized two individuals as this year’s winners of the Guy Bradley Award at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Association in Tucson, Arizona.

The voting membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) passed five resolutions during its Business Meeting held on September 24, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) recognized eleven individuals, one group, one state agency, and one private landowner and operations manager for their dedication to advancing fish and wildlife conservation at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony on September 23, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona.

Today, the membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) elected Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, as its new president during its 115th Annual Meeting in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Johansen will serve as the Association President through September 2026.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds the Department of Interior’s Secretary’s Order 3442, allocating $437 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. This order will strengthen outdoor access and recreation nationwide by providing funding to expand green spaces, improve recreation infrastructure, and enhance conservation efforts—particularly in underserved communities.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Department of the Interior (Department) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for opening and expanding hunting and fishing opportunities within the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS). Yesterday, the 2025-2026 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations took effect, providing 42 new opportunities for hunting and angling across more than 87,000 acres within the NWRS and NFHS.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically commends the Senate for confirming the nomination of Brian Nesvik, who will serve as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). On August 1, 2025, the Senate confirmed the former Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Director.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is soliciting Full Proposals for the 2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program which funds projects that address regional or national level priorities of state fish and wildlife agencies. The Full Grant Proposals are due for submission via AFWA Portal by September 22, 11:59 PM EST.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) program assist in providing more than $23.4 million to support 53 fish habitat conservation projects in 29 states. Collaborative partnerships between the state fish and wildlife agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and other partners are key to implementing these conservation priority projects.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds the House introduction of the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025 (H.R. 3858). The bill was introduced yesterday by Congresswoman Dingell (D- MI) and Congressman Wittman (R-VA).