Weathering Conservation's Perfect Storm, Warning Signs Are on the Horizon

September 25, Washington, DC - At a Capitol Hill briefing organized by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Archery Trade Association, leaders from the major associations representing industry and state fish and wildlife agencies all acknowledged that warning signs are on the horizon for brewing the perfect storm and that the economy of conservation could be heading into a danger zone as access and sportsmen numbers continue to decline.
The briefing brought together the heads of the American Sportfishing Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Archery Trade Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation, as well as state fish and wildlife directors, executives of national conservation organizations, outdoor media and members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus to discuss The American System of Conservation Funding and ways to ensure the next century is as successful as the past.
"Four damaging elements are in front of us that are combining to form a ‘perfect storm'," Matt Hogan, executive director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies declared. "If these storm elements line up and come ashore, they will quickly translate into economic troubles for state fish and wildlife agencies resulting in a potential conservation crisis for America's fish and wildlife."
These elements include increasing demands on fish and wildlife agencies, a growing percentage of the public that is disconnected from the outdoors, increased impacts on fish and wildlife from habitat loss and a shrinking sportsmen's base hence less funding. Combined, all of these elements are setting the stage for what could be a perfect storm for fish and wildlife in our nation.
"The good old days are today. But they will rapidly become the good old days of yesterday if something is not done today," emphasized Jay McAninch, president and CEO of the Archery Trade Association. "We can't let that happen on our watch. We cannot neglect what needs to be done."
McAninch also underscored the importance of the briefing, as it marks the progress that the sportsmen's community has achieved during the past 100 years, yet at the same time it recognizes it is time to re-evaluate the current status and to acknowledge the warning signs that are in front of us.
"By coming together today and discussing these issues we can make sure we adequately address these elements in the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, fish and wildlife agencies and on-the-ground," noted Jeff Crane, president of CSF who moderated the briefing. "Clearly there is a role and opportunity for each of us to play in ensuring the health of our fish and wildlife populations and hunting and fishing heritage."
About the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
For nearly two decades, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena.
Headquartered in Washington, DC just steps from the U.S. Capitol, CSF’s sole focus is providing access and a voice for sportsmen in the U.S. Congress, the Administration and federal land management agencies, as well as state legislatures across the country. With support from every major hunting and fishing organization and industry, CSF is the leader in promoting sportsmen’s issues with elected officials.