DSC Announces Launch of Washington D.C. Based Government Affairs Department, Hiring of Erica Tergeson

DSC is proud to announce the launch of its new Government Affairs Department based in Washington D.C. With the addition of this Department, DSC is stepping forward to take on the unparalleled opposition threatening science-based wildlife management.

To drive these efforts, DSC is excited to announce its hiring of Erica Tergeson to lead the Department. Serving as DSC’s first Government Affairs Director in Washington D.C., Erica will represent the interests of over 18,000 DSC members and ultimately all sportsmen and sportswomen around the world.

Creation of this new Department comes in response to the increasing political pressures being mounted against legal, regulated hunting and the conservation of the world’s wildlife and wild places. The need for strong leadership advocating for the role of the hunter in conservation has never been greater.

“As the threat of misinformed policy continues to increase in D.C., I have no doubt that Erica’s experience, dedication, and strategic insight will lead us in making a strong stand against any impending opposition that will come our way,” stated DSC CEO Corey Mason.

With more than 20 years of experience in natural resource policy and politics, Tergeson has demonstrated skill and ability in this sector—not only previously serving as staff for the House Appropriations Committee and House Natural Resources Committee, but also testifying before Congress, representing organizations before the U.S. House, Senate and Administration, drafting and negotiating legislation, advising on policy actions, and directly contributing to the successful passage of numerous bills including legislation repealing a regulation that federalized state management of wildlife.

Tergeson most recently served as Senior Advisor and Director of Hunting Policy for the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. In this position, Erica served as a spokesperson and policy advisor on Second Amendment and hunting and conservation issues.

Tergeson is an avid outdoorswoman, shooter and hunter. “I’m humbled to join the team of such an incredible hunting and conservation organization and eager to get to work in D.C. educating Capitol Hill on the environmental, social and economic benefits of legal, regulated hunting,” she said.

Tergeson will oversee and direct DSC’s legislative and policy work with the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch agencies, and state-level legislatures and agencies. Further, she will continue and expand DSC’s past engagement with Members of Congress, Congressional Committees, Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Department of Agriculture, and numerous conservation partners to keep science-based policy and the preservation of our hunting heritage at the forefront of decision-making.

“Advocacy for science-based wildlife conservation and sustainable use has always been a fundamental tenet of the DSC mission, so this move is a critical step to further that mission through legislative and regulatory policy action,” added DSC President Michael Vernone.

This new Department allows DSC to proactively engage in strengthened efforts today to ensure that future generations will enjoy wildlife and our hunting heritage for years to come. 

Tergeson can be contacted at Erica@biggame.org.

About DSC

A member of IUCN, DSC is a mission-focused conservation organization, funded by hunters from around the world. With a small administrative staff and a volunteer army of 500, DSC hosts its annual Convention that raises funds for grants in conservation, education, and advocacy. In the past three years, more than $5 million has been channeled to qualified projects, organizations, and programs in support of our mission. Get involved with DSC at www.biggame.org.

About DSCF

DSC Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. DSC Foundation serves the mission of DSC to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands, to educate youth and the general public and to promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Learn more about DSC Foundation at www.dscf.org.