Press Releases

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see the final report on the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The survey show that hunting and fishing contributed $145 billion to the US economy while wildlife watching contributed another $250 billion, 39 million people (15% of the U.S. population 16 years and older) participated in recreational fishing, 14 million people (5.5% of the U.S. population 16 years and older) participated in hunting, 148+ million people participated in wildlife watching, 47+ million people participated in target shooting, and 19+ million people participated in archery.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to reject a Center for Biological Diversity’s petition to undertake a national rulemaking concerning lead ammunition and tackle on the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System).

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for awarding $7.6 million in grants to state and territory fish and wildlife agencies through their Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program. These grants will be used for the benefit of fish, wildlife and their habitats, especially species of greatest conservation need identified in State Wildlife Action Plans.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically commends the Senate for confirming the nomination of Martha Williams, who will serve as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). On February 17, 2022, the Senate confirmed the former Director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, by voice vote.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is excited to see over $1.5 Billion in annual funding available through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program to support state and local outdoor recreational opportunities, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. The WSFR program works with states, insular areas and the District of Columbia to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, their habitats, and the hunting, sport fishing and recreational boating opportunities they provide.

On Dec. 6, 2021, a new Landscape Conservation Joint Task Force was established during a signing ceremony at the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Executive Committee Meeting. The establishment of this Task Force is the next step in landscape conservation collaboration to foster even stronger relationships. Long-term collaboration between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the states will provide the necessary durable foundation for working together more effectively with Tribes, other agencies, landowners, conservation organizations and other partners so essential for balancing and implementing landscape-scale conservation in a sustainable manner for the future. The Task Force outlined in the Charter will examine what is working and what is not and make recommendations to stitch together a collaborative approach.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see the National Fish Habitat Partnership program assist in providing more than $34.5 million to support 85 fish habitat conservation projects in 34 states. These projects represent nearly an 8-to-1 match for federal funding with partnership project funding from other sources. Collaborative partnerships between the state fish and wildlife agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nongovernmental organizations, and other partners are key to implementing these conservation priority projects.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see the National Fish Habitat Partnership program assist in providing more than $35 million to support 95 fish habitat conservation projects in 31 states. This year these projects represent nearly an 8-to-1 match for federal funding with partnership project funding from other sources. Collaborative partnerships between the state fish and wildlife agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nongovernmental organizations, and other partners are key to implementing these conservation priority projects.

On Monday, August 12, Mr. David Bernhardt, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and Mr. Wilbur Ross, Secretary of the Department of Commerce, announced final regulatory changes to the administration of the federal Endangered Species Act. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) appreciates the Departments’ due diligence in managing this important federal law through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Mr. Ed Carter, President of the Association, and Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency noted that “State fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of managing, restoring, and conserving federally listed threatened and endangered species. We look forward to working with our federal partners to achieve continuing success unto that end.”

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies welcomes the recently nominated David Bernhardt as the next Secretary of the Interior.