The Association Applauds Introduction of the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the introduction of the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act. Today, Senator Padilla (C-CA) and Representatives Zinke (R-MT) and Beyer (D-VA) introduced the bill to bolster efforts to conserve wildlife migration corridors and seasonal habitat.
“We thank Senator Padilla and Representatives Zinke and Beyer for leading this legislation and supporting voluntary, cooperative conservation that will build on successful frameworks,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association. “State fish and wildlife agencies have developed conservation plans identifying and integrating wildlife movement and migration routes but need the funding to put these projects on the ground with their partners.”
Since the signing of Secretarial Order 3362 (SO 3362): Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors, State and Tribal governments have worked with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Forest Service, NGOs, and private partners to improve over 3 million acres of big game habitat, with more than 1 million of those acres located within State-identified migration corridors. The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act would continue and expand this great work by establishing a grant program to improve or conserve habitat quality in wildlife movement areas across the country. The bill would also establish a State and Tribal migration research program to provide funds for increased data collection, analysis, and identification of movement areas.
“State-led initiatives provide the most effective investments for landscape scale conservation,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “By expanding the model of SO 3362 beyond the West and enhancing the data available for science-based management, Congress can help ensure State agencies and their partners continue to fulfill their responsibilities as stewards of our natural resources.”
The Association urges support for the bill and looks forward to working with Congress to provide funding for the programs it would establish.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—the organization that represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies—promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook /AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife
