May 10, 2021 (WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Today, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and sporting conservation partners led a virtual policy briefing to discuss the importance of including robust natural infrastructure and conservation investments as part of any federal infrastructure and job creation legislation.
In March, President Biden released an infrastructure plan to restore and address America’s depleting infrastructure and climate change, among other issues our nation is facing. Of particular interest to the sporting conservation community, this infrastructure plan will invest in natural infrastructure essential to improving conservation of our nation’s fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats, improving access and opportunity for sportsmen and women, and investing in near-term job creation.
Congress has long recognized the impact our nation’s transportation policies and associated infrastructure have on our nation’s fish and wildlife, natural habitat, and recreational access opportunities. Additionally, investments in the outdoor recreation economy will help facilitate near-term economic growth at a time when communities, particularly those in rural areas, need it the most.
“Investing in our nation’s natural infrastructure is integral to the continuation of healthy and thriving fish and wildlife and their associated habitats long into the future,” said CSF president and CEO Jeff Crane. “These investments will enhance conservation, provide job opportunities during a time when they are needed most, and improve access and opportunity for sportsmen and women. It’s beneficial to all.”
Panelists who spoke during the virtual policy briefing represented an array of stakeholders and experts from the conservation community who discussed the various interests of sportsmen and women and other recreationalists that have historically been included in infrastructure packages.
The panel also discussed new opportunities to invest in natural infrastructure to conserve our nation’s fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats while simultaneously enhancing outdoor recreation and economic growth.
Panelists included Ryan Bronson, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Chris Horton, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Sarah Murdock, The Nature Conservancy; Collin O’Mara, National Wildlife Federation; and Christy Plumer, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
“Protecting our natural resources is both a moral and economic issue,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Debbie Dingell. “We need strong, bipartisan policies to strengthen our natural infrastructure, get Americans back to work, and ensure we’re protecting our nation’s environmental heritage generations to come.”
“I don’t know that we often think of how natural systems play into infrastructure and how important they are, but that is exactly why I refiled the Trillion Trees Act with over 90 bipartisan co-sponsors, with support letters from over 50 different organizations,” said CSC Vice-Chair Rep. Bruce Westerman. “We can do a lot of good things for infrastructure by passing laws like that– working to restore wildlife, restore habitat, and really to give Americans access to those places and to take care of them so they’ll be around for future generations.”
CSF and partners in the sporting conservation community will continue to support investments in infrastructure that foster conservation enhancement and the interests of our nation’s 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?
