Press Releases

Together Outdoors (TO), a coalition supported by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and comprised of businesses and organizations in the outdoor recreation industry committed to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI/DEI) in the outdoors, announced their membership, advisory and governance councils earlier today. The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is proud to be one of the 70+ members of this robust coalition.

During the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 111th Annual Meeting, held September 8-14, the members recommended the approval of 42 projects to be funded through the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP).

The membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) elected Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, as its new president during its 111th Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island.

The voting membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies passed seven resolutions during its Business Meeting held on September 14, 2021.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recognized seven individuals, two state agencies, one federal agency, one committee and one private landowner for their dedication to advancing fish and wildlife conservation at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony held both in person and virtually on September 13, 2021 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Today at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Meeting, three organizations and individuals were honored by their peers as recipients of the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources. The Climate Adaptation Leadership Award was established in 2016 to recognize exemplary leadership in the field of climate adaptation and the protection of the Nation’s vital natural resources and the people who depend on them in a changing world.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds this week’s announcement that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has opened new or expanded hunting and sport fishing opportunities across 2.1 million acres, the largest expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities in recent history. This expansion of outdoor recreation is consistent with the administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies commends the Senate for advancing high priority conservation provisions included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This week, the full Senate approved the bipartisan infrastructure package by a vote of 69-30, priming reauthorization for critical programs including the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and the Abandoned Mine Land Trust Fund while creating historic funding sources for terrestrial and aquatic species passage.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies proudly shares the news that North Carolina Project WILD Coordinator, Tanya Poole, is the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Coordinator Award. The Association honors one Project WILD coordinator who performs above and beyond their normal responsibilities with this prestigious award at the annual Project WILD Coordinators’ Conference.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.2372) in the U.S. Senate today. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced legislation that recommends funding for conservation of those fish and wildlife species in greatest need across the country. If passed, this bill will not only help the one-third of wildlife species in the United States currently at risk of becoming threatened or endangered, but also get Americans back to work immediately, creating an estimated 33,000 jobs each year restoring natural resources and bolstering community resilience while protecting our valuable natural infrastructure.