Washington, DC - The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) recently convened the largest inside the beltway gathering of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, federal agency heads and members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus to discuss bipartisan policy initiatives that will shape the future of hunting and wildlife conservation in the 21^st century.

The common acknowledgement among the speakers and attendees was that the challenges facing fish and wildlife and sportsmen are significant and that each organization, state and federal agency, industry and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus are willing and ready to pull together to chart the course into the future.  Underlying that acknowledgement was the realization that bi-partisanship would be the lifeline that will breed conservation success into the next century.

The briefing was organized to discuss the development of a comprehensive Recreational and Wildlife Conservation Plan and build momentum leading up to the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy that will be held October 1-3 in Reno, Nevada. The goal of the conference as prescribed in the Executive Order entitled "Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation" is to establish a 10-year plan to improve wildlife conservation and boost hunting opportunity on public lands. 

"We are setting up the conservation relay race and we are proud to play our part as we work to pass the baton of conservation off to the next Administration and Congress.  This is about handing off a fast moving object for the greater good and success of all," affirmed Jim Connaughton, Chairman of the Council of Environmental Quality.

Commenting on this task, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne stated, "We have been tasked to create a new vision that will chart the course for 21^st century conservation challenges in the way that Roosevelt did in the last century."

Introducing members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, Jeff Crane president of CSF acknowledged, "We stand on the cusp of being able to do something really remarkable.  We are reaching out to the bi-partisan sportsmen's caucus to stand united with the sportsmen's community to carry this baton of conservation forward beyond the White House Conference in October."

"It is an honor to work with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and they should be given great credit for what they get done on behalf of the sportsmen's community.  They make sure both the Administration and the Congress are focused on hunting and fishing issues that we know are so important to sportsmen and the country," Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) told the audience. 

"Thank you for what you are doing.  I can't over emphasize enough how important it is for you to get together and do what you are doing.  The synergy you have is so important," recognized CSC Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT).

CSC Member, Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) echoed Baucus, "There is one common theme that you should be hear from every Senator that steps up to this microphone, and that is they should say thank you for what you do."

"We've got the A team working on advancing the goals of conservation," stated CSC Member, Senator John Thune (R-SD) addressing the attendees. "The record numbers of wildlife populations we are experiencing across the country do not just happen.  It happens because of organizations like you advocating for strong public policies that advance the cause of wildlife habitat and conservation.  You are doing your job and we are going to do everything we can to make sure the programs you support are implemented and funds are spent appropriately."

Former Caucus Chairwoman, Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), concluded comments from caucus members, stating, "I commend your willingness to approach these problems in a pragmatic, bi-partisan fashion. It's the only way that anything gets done in Washington, DC and will have staying power into the next Administration." 

Robert Model, Chairman of the Sporting Conservation Council, ended the briefing by declaring, "This is an incredibly valuable conference dealing with the issues of our time. We are doing this for the next generation because someone cared enough to do it for us."

About the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
With alliances with every major hunting and fishing organization and industry, CSF is the leader in promoting sportsmen’s issues with elected officials.