Why It Matters: AWCP is a coalition of 50 national wildlife conservation groups that collaborate on national policy issues for the betterment of professional wildlife and natural resource management, as well as outdoor recreation, including hunting and recreational shooting. Every four years, AWCP publishes a set of recommendations known as Wildlife for the 21st Century (W21) that is developed by the member groups to address pressing issues within the conservation community and provides science-based recommendations and guidance to the federal administration and future Congresses.
Last week, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners hosted its annual summer meeting to discuss sporting-conservation policies facing sportsmen and women, and honored Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO, Johnny Morris, for his unmatched commitment to conservation.
“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is immensely grateful for the commitment of Johnny Morris and his family in their efforts to conserve our natural resources and promote our hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting heritage,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President and CEO Jeff Crane. “Johnny exemplifies what it means to be a true leader in the sporting-conservation community, and CSF is proud to join our AWCP partners to recognize his unparalleled contributions to our outdoor heritage.”
AWCP also released a mid-term report outlining the status of priorities identified in the 2020 Wildlife for the 21st Century Report. The mid-term report highlights the landmark conservation victories including the Great American Outdoors Act, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, and other legislative and administrative victories that enhance our outdoor sporting heritage. Additionally, the report outlines outstanding priorities that will be the focus of AWCP into the future.
During the meeting, AWCP elected CSF’s Taylor Schmitz to serve as AWCP Vice Chair, to be effective January 2023. In this role, Taylor will help guide the policy priorities of AWCP and work with diverse AWCP members to advance policies to benefit sportsmen and women.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
