Press Releases

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.

The Association is thrilled to learn that a Project WILD workshop led to New Hampshire Governor Sununu proclaiming the daring jumping spider to be the state spider of New Hampshire.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically praises the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for advancing the Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021 (S. 1995). Yesterday, the Committee favorably reported the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Sport Fish and Boating Safety Trust Fund before its expiration at the end of the fiscal year.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies thanks the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for advancing the Wildlife Crossings Program with dedicated funding in the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3684). Last week, the Committee favorably reported the transportation package by a vote of 38-26, advancing provisions to establish and fund a habitat connectivity program for aquatic and terrestrial species.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to see the National Fish Habitat Partnership program assist in providing more than $34.5 million to support 85 fish habitat conservation projects in 34 states. These projects represent nearly an 8-to-1 match for federal funding with partnership project funding from other sources. Collaborative partnerships between the state fish and wildlife agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nongovernmental organizations, and other partners are key to implementing these conservation priority projects.