Press Releases

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the distribution of over $55 million for state fish and wildlife agencies to restore and manage Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) through the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the disbursement of funds through the State Wildlife Grants Program to support state efforts to conserve at-risk species and their habitats across the nation.

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.