Washington D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies would like to thank the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for convening the Sportsmen Access Ramp-Up Summit earlier this week at which participants discussed opportunities to implement Secretary’s Order 3347- Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation signed by Secretary Ryan Zinke on March 2, 2017.
At this gathering, leaders from 46 conservation organizations worked together to discuss ways we can enhance access to our federal lands and waterways.
“I’d like to thank Secretary Ryan Zinke and acting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Greg Sheehan for their leadership in bringing sportsmen and women together to talk about access to public lands and related issues in this country,” stated Nick Wiley, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“State Fish and Wildlife Agencies stand ready to partner in new and innovative opportunities to promote and provide access to federal public lands by hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters. National Hunting and Fishing Day, September 23, 2017, offers a great opportunity to highlight our collective vision and passion for our federal lands and access to them.”
“State fish and wildlife agencies are also eager to work with the Department of the Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service on outreach campaigns, mentorship programs, and other initiatives to recruit, retain, and reactivate new hunters and anglers “We look forward to working closely with our federal partners at the Department of Interior to deliver the best possible stewardship of America’s fish and wildlife resources.”
The purpose of this Order is to enhance conservation stewardship, increase outdoor recreation, and improve the management of game species and their habitat.
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.