MISSOULA, Mont.  – The Boone and Crockett Club welcomes the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Homer Wilkes and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams. Dr. Wilkes was sworn in February 11 as the USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment and will oversee the U.S. Forest Service. Wilkes has more than 40 years of experience in conservation on working lands in leadership positions with the NRCS and most recently served as the director of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. The Club worked directly with Williams during her tenure as the director for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and has a strong relationship with her. In response to the confirmation vote, Boone and Crockett Club President James Arnold stated:

“The Boone and Crockett Club is the oldest conservation organization in the country and has a long history of working closely with the leaders of our federal government agencies regardless of the Administration they serve. Our country faces significant challenges in managing our national forests as well as ensuring we have healthy, sustainable wildlife populations. Under Secretary Wilkes and Director Williams both have extensive experience and a proven track record of supporting the collaborative conservation efforts necessary to make a difference for wildlife and their habitat. We look forward to working with them in their new roles as the Administration and conservation partners address forest health, big game migration corridors, endangered species, and much more.”