Press Releases

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).

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see 42 bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate and 156 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed on to Dear Colleague Letters to key appropriators supporting funding for the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants program next fiscal year. The letters were led by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and GT Thompson (R-PA).

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 and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Senate introduction of the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act (S.1649) which addresses a significant gap in the collection of taxes for the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds. Introduced by Sens. Tuberville (R-AL) and Crapo (R-ID), the bill would make online marketplace facilitators responsible for collecting excise taxes on archery and angling equipment sold directly to U.S. consumers from foreign vendors.

Today, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) published the 2025 State of Birds Report during the 90th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Key findings in the new report shows that more than one-third of U.S. bird species are of high or moderate conservation concern, including 112 Tipping Point species that have lost more than 50% of their populations in the last 50 years.