American Wildlife Conservation Partners’ To-Do List – Every four years, AWCP reminds the new administration of its responsibilities to conservation

Wildlife for the 21st Century: Volume VI, presented by American Wildlife Conservation Partners, makes 10 significant policy recommendations for the Biden White House and the next two Congresses. 

In 2019, American citizens supported conservation with $2.966 billion in funding, of which $673 million were generated by Pittman-Robertson Act excise taxes on hunting and recreational shooting; $896 million and $748 million, respectively, from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses; and $649 million from Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux taxes on fishing and boating purchases. Sportsmen and women are the primary contributors to conservation funding in the US, and they further enhance wildlife research and management, as well as conservation education programs, through their volunteer work.

Reinforcing these enormous financial and personal commitments are a myriad of conservation-related organizations of all sizes across the US. One of them, the AWCP, American Wildlife Conservation Partners, speaks with the voice of millions of dedicated hunter-conservationists, professional wildlife and natural-resource managers, outdoor recreationists, conservation educators and wildlife scientists.

The 50 partner organizations in AWCP have diverse primary missions, but they all share a commitment to wildlife, sustainable, science-based use and the enjoyment of wildlife and the places where wildlife lives.

The AWCP consortium has published its Wildlife for the 21st Century recommendations in every presidential election year since its inception, in 2000, and sends frequent opinions on conservation issues to policymakers in the Congress and at different government departments.

Wildlife for the 21st Century: Volume VI is the latest policy wish-list for the White House and the next two Congresses. Released in July 2020, well in advance of the election, it represents the joint views of the groups that participate in AWCP—their suggestions for actions to improve wildlife conservation and management across the US.

Volume VI makes 10 recommendations, all dependent on collaboration and cooperation between federal agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, and private landowners. For specific content and information, click on the links:

Recommendation 1 — Funding for Conservation: Secure permanent and dedicated conservation funding from public and private sources.

Recommendation 2 — Federal Land Access: Enhance access for hunters and outdoor recreationists.

Recommendation 3 — Big Game Migrations: Require collaboration on big-game migration corridors and habitats.

Recommendation 4 — Energy Development: Integrate industry, state and federal wildlife goals early in energy planning.

Recommendation 5 — Private Land Conservation: Incentivize private landowners to conserve wildlife and habitat and provide access for hunting.

Recommendation 6 — Active Management of Federal Lands: Increase active management of federal land habitats and reduce litigation through collaboration.

Recommendation 7 — Species Conservation: Achieve greater results from an improved ESA program.

Recommendation 8 — Big Game Diseases: Support and assist states in addressing Chronic Wasting Disease and wild sheep pneumonia.

Recommendation 9 — Climate Change: Focus climate policy on habitat conservation and restoration.

Recommendation 10 — Hunting Heritage and the Future: Require collaboration for wildlife conservation, hunting and recreational shooting on federal lands.

Gerhard Damm is the editor-in-chief of Conservation Frontlines.

Banner Image: Grizzly bear sow and cub. Boone and Crockett Club photo