Wildlife21

B&C Joins AWCP Partners to Brief Biden-Harris Transition Team on Priorities

Conservation Recommendations Finalized for Next Presidential Administration

W21: Recommendation 10 - Hunting Heritage and the Future

Require Collaboration for Wildlife Conservation, Hunting, andd Recreational Shooting on Federal Lands – The future of our nation’s conservation and hunting heritage depends on dedicated attention to the sportsmen’s community in federal wildlife and resource management institutions. The essential objectives in maintaining this heritage are providing continued access to federal lands, maintaining habitat quality there, and engaging more Americans in these traditional outdoor pastimes.

W21: Recommendation 9 - Climate Change

Focus Climate Policy on Habitat Conservation and Restoration – America’s sportsmen and women are experiencing firsthand the consequences of increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, record forest fires, more powerful hurricanes, inland flooding, spread of invasive species and wildlife diseases, and algal outbreaks. These cascading problems degrade habitat, threaten fish and wildlife, and reduce hunting and fishing opportunities. As a result, communities and the recreation economy are put at risk.

W21: Recommendation 8 - Big Game Diseases

Support and Assist States in Addressing Chronic Wasting Disease and Wild Sheep Pneumonia – Two wildlife diseases have become priority problems for sportsmen and women. Chronic Wasting Disease is threatening the legacy achievement of restored deer, elk, and moose populations. Pneumonia is preventing restoration of bighorn sheep and threatening other wild sheep. Both diseases threaten not only the wildlife, but the enormous economy driven by hunting.

W21: Recommendation 7 - Species Conservation

Achieve Greater Results from an Improved ESA Program – Species conservation is principally governed by state authority. While states have primary authority for management of fish and wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and federal land management agencies have strong authorities as well. Two main areas of policy can ensure successful long-term species conservation. One is the Endangered Species Act, which is intended to prevent extinction and recover at-risk species. Another is the federal land management authorities that affect the quality of habitat on which wildlife depend.

W21: Recommendation 6 - Active Management of Federal Lands

Increase Active Management of Federal Lands and Reduce Litigation through Collaboration – The U.S. has the most extensive network of federal lands in the world. Sportsmen and women are committed to making this federal land estate work to sustain fish and wildlife populations, provide access for hunting and other recreation, retain ecosystem services for our citizens, and allow careful, science-informed development that helps sustain the country’s economy. 

W21: Recommendation 5 - Private Land Conservation

More than two-thirds of the land area in the United States is privately owned in farms or ranches (915 million acres) and private forests (300 million acres). Regulatory programs protect many habitats and ecosystems, but the core of private land conservation policy in the U.S. drives voluntary, incentive-based programs to improve habitat while also promoting markets for sustainably-managed agricultural products. These programs incentivize habitat conservation on private lands by offering cost-shares and grants to landowners and producers that improve both their bottom line and the quality of wildlife habitat on their land. 

W21: Recommendation 4 - Energy Development

Integrate Industry, State, and Federal Wildlife Goals Early in Energy Plannin – The developed energy resources and our natural resources provide economic benefits for the country, and both are needed for future generations. Achieving both, however, will require early consideration of effects on goals for habitat, wildlife, and water in order to balance energy development and wildlife management.

W21: Recommendation 3 - Big Game Migrations

Require Collaboration on Big Game Migration Corridors and Habitats – Big game populations across North America move between summer and winter habitats. The quality of each habitat and the ability to move between them is a fundamental element in the ecology and management of mule deer, pronghorn, elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and others.