The Association Applauds Passage of Duck Stamp Modernization
Dec 12, 2023, 3:24 PM
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Congress for passing the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, S. 788. On Tuesday, December 12, the full House passed the bill by a vote of 403-20, following passage in the Senate by Unanimous Consent earlier this year.
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The Association Applauds Conservation Funded by America the Beautiful Challenge
Nov 14, 2023, 4:04 PM
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Biden-Harris Administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as they announce over $140 Million in Grants from the America the Beautiful Challenge to Restore Lands and Waters (Challenge). Today, the Administration announced that 74 new grants across 46 states, three U.S. territories, and 21 Tribal Nations have been selected for locally led ecosystem restoration projects under the public-private grant program.
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The Association Applauds Advancement of Legislation Enabling Conservation Partnerships
Oct 26, 2023, 2:38 PM
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Congress for advancing the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act (WILD Act, HR 5009) and the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2023 (SEEE Act, H.R. 4770). On Thursday, October 26, the House Committee on Natural Resources favorably reported both bills to the full House by unanimous consent.
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The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Applauds Congress’ Endorsement of Funding for Critical Outdoor Youth Education Programming
Sep 27, 2023, 7:35 PM
Today, during the business session of the 113th Annual Meeting of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, the directors unanimously endorsed and applauded members of Congress for advancing bipartisan legislation to ensure students and schools can continue to access Department of Education funding for archery, hunter education, recreational shooting, and other outdoor enrichment programming.
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Statement from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Supporting the Introduction of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act in the Senate
Mar 31, 2023, 9:52 AM
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.1149) in the U.S. Senate today. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced this bipartisan legislation that would provide critical funding to state fish and wildlife agencies and tribal fish and wildlife managers to effectively conserve our nation’s fish and wildlife for future generations. If passed, this bill will not only help the one-third of wildlife species in the United States currently at risk of becoming threatened or endangered, but also save taxpayer money by implementing proactive solutions to conserve those species in greatest need and prevent wildlife from becoming threatened or endangered.
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Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Left Out of 2023 Omnibus Package
Dec 21, 2022, 1:24 PM
The Association was disappointed to learn that in the final hours of negotiation, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was not included in the final language of the year end 2023 Omnibus package. The impasse had little to do with the contents of the legislative bill, which is widely supported, but the clock just ran out.
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The Association Applauds Formation of the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council
Sep 27, 2022, 12:32 PM
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Biden-Harris Administration (Administration) for establishing the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council (Council). On Friday, September 23, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the membership of the newly-recharted Council, which will serve as a Federal Advisory Committee to the Administration advancing the needs of the sportsmen and women that form the foundation for conservation and restoration of fish and wildlife species and flourishing habitats.
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Significant Majority of Americans Support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
Sep 15, 2022, 12:04 PM
A new survey conducted by Responsive Management finds that 70 percent of Americans support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, pending federal legislation that would allocate an additional $1.4 billion in annual funding to state agencies and tribal land managers for wildlife conservation.
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The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Strongly Opposes Legislation Attempting Repeal of Pittman-Robertson Excise Taxes
Jul 13, 2022, 9:59 AM
Across the country, State Fish and Wildlife agencies stand on the front lines of conservation, and effectively use Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds as an indispensable part of their budgets to conserve wildlife and fisheries, restore habitat, provide shooting ranges, and connect people with nature. These funds, generated through a 10-11 percent federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition through the Pittman-Robertson Act, have generated $15 billion for conservation since the law was enacted in 1937. In 2022 alone, State Fish and Wildlife Agencies received a record $1.1 billion in funding through the Pittman-Robertson Act to support state and local outdoor recreational opportunities, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.
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The Association Applauds House Floor Passage of Important Wildlife Conservation Bill
Jun 14, 2022, 7:20 PM
Today, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was excited to witness a passing vote on the House floor for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 2773). The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is the single most impactful wildlife conservation bill in a generation, benefiting our nature, outdoor recreation, our overall health, clean air and water and our economy. The final vote was 231 to 190 including Republicans and Democrats, highlighting the bipartisan support of this historic piece of legislation that would help expedite the recovery of thousands of at-risk species through proactive, collaborative conservation.
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