October 22, 2024
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.
“We appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s leadership and vision in the development of this Secretarial Memorandum,” said Judy Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association. “We applaud Undersecretaries Bonnie, Wilks and Moffit for their commitment to coordinate with states to identify priorities for terrestrial wildlife habitat connectivity and corridors, and to work in partnership with states, tribes and our NGO partners to deliver meaningful conservation by prioritizing corridors and connectivity.”
The Secretarial Memorandum directs the USDA to incorporate terrestrial wildlife habitat connectivity and corridors into relevant planning processes, programs, and assessments, and improve coordination with State, Tribal, NGO, and private partners. This memorandum will support a locally led, incentive-based, voluntary approach to wildlife conservation that builds on the success of Secretarial Order 3362.
“The Association and our state and territorial fish and wildlife agency members look forward to working with the USDA and partners to successfully implement this memorandum and achieve its goals.” added President Camuso. “We all recognize that effective conservation and restoration of wide-ranging wildlife requires multijurisdictional, coordinated approaches, delivered through localized partnerships. Through locally led, incentive-based, and a voluntary approach we have delivered successful wildlife conservation and restoration in the U.S. This approach respects state and Tribal authority to manage wildlife species, and it also honors private property rights.”