Press Releases

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for awarding $7.6 million in grants to state and territory fish and wildlife agencies through their Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program. These grants will be used for the benefit of fish, wildlife and their habitats, especially species of greatest conservation need identified in State Wildlife Action Plans.

The Association was excited by last week’s announcement of a $1 billion America the Beautiful Challenge from the Biden-Harris Administration. This grant program will provide support for locally led ecosystem restoration projects that invest in watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation, consistent with the America the Beautiful Initiative.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies proudly shares the news that Brittany Wray, Director for the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, is recognized as this year’s Project WILD Outstanding Coordinator of the Year. Each year the Association honors one Project WILD coordinator with this award at the annual Project WILD Coordinators’ Conference.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports introduction of the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which will authorize historic funding to combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Today, Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Hoeven (R-ND), along with 7 additional bipartisan cosponsors, introduced companion legislation to the House-passed version of the bill (HR 5608). If enacted, the bill would authorize up to $70 million annually to fund vital research into CWD and support management actions carried out by state and tribal wildlife agencies and their partners.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is soliciting Initial Proposals for the 2023 Multistate Conservation Grant Program which funds projects that address regional or national level priorities of state fish and wildlife agencies. The deadline for submitting the Initial Proposals for 2023 cycle is May 18, 2022.

Today, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was excited to witness the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee markup to advance the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.2372). The Association applauds Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership in bringing S.2372 up for a vote in the full committee and looks forward to working with members of the committee to advance this important legislation that has 32 bipartisan cosponsors toward final passage in the Senate.

Last week the conservation community lost a fierce champion of fish and wildlife conservation. Congressman Don Young was the longest-serving member of the current Congress and an influential advocate for conservation policy. Young served the Congress since 1973 and was serving his 25th term and 49th year as Alaska’s only Member of the United States House of Representatives.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see the first ever economic analysis of how America’s hunters and sport shooters contribute to national and state economies for all 50 states and their legislative districts. This report was released last week by the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, and showcases recreational hunters and sport shooters contributed $149 billion to the national economy, supported nearly 970,000 jobs and created over $45 billion in wages and income in 2020.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically commends the Senate for confirming the nomination of Martha Williams, who will serve as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). On February 17, 2022, the Senate confirmed the former Director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, by voice vote.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is excited to see over $1.5 Billion in annual funding available through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program to support state and local outdoor recreational opportunities, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. The WSFR program works with states, insular areas and the District of Columbia to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, their habitats, and the hunting, sport fishing and recreational boating opportunities they provide.