Press Releases

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Senate for securing final passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 3791). Earlier this week, the full Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent after its overwhelmingly bipartisan passage in the House earlier this month. Once enacted, it will ensure continuation of some of the nation’s most successful conservation programs including the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Congress for securing final passage of the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act (WILD Act, HR 5009). Today, the Senate passed the bill as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, following House passage of the package late last week.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds House passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8811). On Tuesday, December 3, the bipartisan legislation passed the House by a vote of 366 -21, priming reauthorization of some of the most successful conservation programs in the country including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP).

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) is proud to recognize the anniversaries of three landmark conservation initiatives—Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), and Southern Wings. Together, these programs have created far-reaching networks and delivered lasting conservation impact for amphibians, reptiles, and birds across North America and beyond.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing the Secretarial Memorandum on Conserving and Restoring Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity and Corridors in the United States. Yesterday, the Association’s President, Judy Camuso, joined USDA Under Secretaries responsible for Farm Production and Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service and Marketing and Regulatory Programs to announce the department-wide effort to support terrestrial wildlife habitat connectivity.

Last night, The State of the Bats in North America, the companion study to the 2023 report, identifies major threats to North American Bats and calls for urgent, coordinated support and action across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The findings indicate the greatest impacts to threatened bat species include climate change, disease, wind energy production, and land-use change.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies invested $11.75 million in conservation by approving 46 projects through the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. Association members formally endorsed these grants, which address critical conservation needs, at its 114th Annual Meeting, held September 22-25, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.

The voting membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies passed ten resolutions during its Business Meeting held on September 25, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.

The membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) elected Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and resident of Falmouth, as its new president during its 114th Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin during September 22-25, 2024. Ms. Camuso is only the second woman in the Association’s 122-year history to serve in this position. She will serve as the Association President through September 2025.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recognized six individuals, four distinguished groups, one state agency, one federal agency, and one private landowner for their dedication to advancing fish and wildlife conservation at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony on September 25, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.