The Association Commends Congress’s Approval of Funding Bill with Important Conservation Priorities

December 20, 2019

The Association applauds Congress for the inclusion of two legislative packages that contain conservation initiatives that work to ensure future generations can enjoy our nations valuable natural resources. Included in H.R 1865 are important conservation priorities for the Association, including the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act, funding for USDA APHIS to combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), increased funding for State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and increased funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, to name a few.

“We need these important investments to the future of conservation delivery and the tradition of sustainable hunting across our great nation,” said Secretary Kelly Hepler of South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “These new or increased dollars will help to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters, to inventory and manage species of greatest conservation need, put money on the ground to address a devastating threat facing wild deer, moose, and elk, and direct critical funds to the Prairie Potholes among other habitat strongholds for waterfowl.” 

The bill now awaits President Trump's signature to become enacted law.

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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.