Setting Priorities

The critical issues facing the Association, its members and the fish and wildlife resources can be summarized into four broad categories:

• Adequate funding to support fish and wildlife conservation;

   

• An adequate habitat base to sustain fish and wildlife populations and those physical, chemical, biological and social factors that directly impact fish and wildlife resources;

   

• Public and political support and coordination necessary to fulfill our mission, and;

   

• Efficient and effective internal operations and business systems to maximize benefits to the fish and wildlife resources and the public.

   

The Five-Year Outlook

• Enhance funding that adequately provides for conservation of all species, and provides for expanding and emerging programs as well as traditional fish and wildlife conservation activities.

   

1. Increase stable, long-term funding through federal legislation.

    

2. Seek annual congressional appropriations to help finance fish and wildlife conservation programs.

    

3. Secure adequate and reliable funding at the state level for state programs for the conservation, management, and enjoyment of the diverse array of fish and wildlife species.

    

4. Help states maintain and strengthen traditional funding provided by hunters and anglers.

    

5. Establish a unified commitment to the role education and outreach programs must play in fish and wildlife management, and integrate funding for such programs into legislation.

    

• Assist the states, provinces and territories in development of programs, projects, policies and initiatives to address their high priority issues that directly impact the fish and wildlife resources, particularly where inter-jurisdictional cooperation and coordination are needed.

   

1. Participate in implementation of current legislation (such as Farm Bill, ESA and application of NEPA) through policy development and rulemaking to ensure fish and wildlife issues are being addressed, and recommend improvements to address fish and wildlife priorities during the reauthorization process.

    

2. Monitor, track and inform states, provinces and territories of legislation, treaties, and agreements that affect jurisdictional authorities and fish and wildlife resources including habitats, and provide legal analysis and counsel as necessary. Keep states current on the status and products that come from CITES Plants, Animals and World Conference occurring in 2004.

    

3. Assist the states in development and implementation of comprehensive state fish and wildlife conservation strategies. Strategies are due to US FWS by October 2005.

    

4. Identify National Conservation Needs and develop associated multi-state grant proposals that will address high priority issues.

    

5. Take a leadership role in the development of national plans to maintain and enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

    

6. Monitor emerging fish and wildlife health issues and coordinate development of national initiatives to address the highest priorities.

    

7. Proactively engage with other entities to better address invasive species issues.

    

8. Develop programs to encourage and assist landowners in conserving fish and wildlife habitat on private lands.

    

9. Develop trapping Best Management Practices and distribute results to state, provincial and federal members for implementation and outreach.

    

10. Assist, facilitate and coordinate the review of federal public land policy that affects fish, wildlife and habitat conservation and recreational opportunities to ensure the role of state fish and wildlife agencies is affirmed and maintained.

     

11. Support and assist in national efforts to maintain and enhance public access to public and private lands for wildlife-related recreation.

     

12. Assist, facilitate and coordinate the management of migratory bird species within and across state boundaries to ensure that the states and the bird species receive the greatest benefit from the states’ management efforts.

     

13. Develop and implement programs and policies that support broader participation in hunting, fishing and other wildlife-based recreation.

     

14. Coordinate, focus and direct the collective state fish and wildlife agencies’ efforts in influencing Congressional legislation.

     

15. Improve coordination of research needs and research capabilities between state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies, federal agencies and universities.

     

• Increase communications, cooperation and coordination, and improve relationships with member agencies and organizations and other entities that help the Association fulfill its mission.

   

1. Improve the Association’s interaction with all member agencies.

    

2. Implement a better process for reporting the Association’s accomplishments to its members.

    

3. Consult with Canadian federal, provincial and territorial, as well as Mexican federal fish and wildlife leaders on how to encourage and strengthen their involvement in the Association and the Association’s service to their organizations. Continue to seek funds for state agency members to work with Mexican counterparts on resource management issues and to attend Mexican/US/Canadian Trilateral meeting. Also obtain funding for the four US/Mexican Border States to inspect and provide input into US FWS funded Wildlife without Borders projects.

    

4. Initiate direct contact with new directors as soon as possible after they assume their duties.

    

5. Encourage agencies and organizations that support the Association’s mission to become contributing and affiliate members.

    

6. Develop and implement an expedited publication of Association proceedings.

    

7. Approve and implement a communications plan for the Association to better serve and inform our members and to help promote regional, national and international issues and programs. Approval at the December 2004 Executive Committee meeting.

    

8. Develop and expand partnerships between state/provincial/territorial agencies, federal agencies and private organizations in order to address key issues. Assist states, provinces/territories, federal agencies and other organizations with coordination and implementation of the various bird conservation programs (such as North American Waterfowl Plan, Partners in Flight, Waterbird Plan and Shorebird Plan).

    

9. Work nationally and in cooperation with member agencies and organizations to develop communication and education programs.