On February 15, fifty-six sportsmen’s conservation organizations, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), urged President Trump to integrate strategic investments in America’s outdoor economy into the upcoming infrastructure package.
Specifically, the letter sent to the President encouraged the Administration to dedicate 5 percent ($5 billion annually) of the $1 trillion infrastructure package towards natural infrastructure and conservation investments. These investments include: The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (Investing $1.3 billion a year to restoration projects for critical species conservation); and advancing the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act (a package of pro-sportsmen’s legislation; among other investments.
Finally, the signatories encouraged expanding public access on lands and waterways. Outdoor recreation generates more than $646 billion for the nation’s economy, supports 6.1 million jobs, and is a tradition for 140 million Americans including 40 million hunters and anglers. Ensuring public access to public lands and waters is critical to this robust economic engine of outdoor traditions.
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?
