Association Of Fish And Wildlife Agencies

INTERMOUNTAIN WEST JOINT VENTURE STAFF 2021

PURPOSE: THIS PROJECT WILL MAINTAIN THE ESTABLISHED SARS-COV-2 SURVEILLANCE NORTH AMERICAN CERVID POPULATIONS STARTED BY APHIS WS. THIS PROJECT WILL MAINTAIN THE CURRENT TRAJECTORY AND CONTINUES VITAL RESEARCH AIMED AT BETTER UNDERSTANDING HOW THE SCV-2 VIRUS BEHAVES IN VARIOUS ANIMALS, HOW IT MOVES BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS, AND WHAT WE AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PARTNERS CAN DO TO INTERRUPT THE CHAINS OF TRANSMISSION. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: 1) COORDINATE SAMPLE COLLECTION AND SHIPPING TO APHIS; 2) CONDUCT OUTREACH TO WAFWA MEMBER STATES; 3) CONDUCT OUTREACH TO ALL ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) AND SUBGROUP MEMBER STATES; 4) PROCURE, DISTRIBUTE, AND COORDINATE SAMPLING SUPPLIES TO PARTICIPANTS; 5) COLLABORATE ON ANY MANUSCRIPTS RESULTING FROM THIS COLLABORATION AND RETAIN AUTHORSHIP(S) ON ALL PUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS; 6) REVIEW ALL REPORTS RESULTING FROM THE COLLABORATION WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT. ALL DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WILL BE SENT TO APHIS. THESE RESULTS WILL BE SHARED WITH PARTICIPATING AGENCIES WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS IS A POPULATION LEVEL SARS-COV-2 SURVEILLANCE EFFORT TARGETING WHITE-TAILED DEER, MULE DEER AND OTHER CERVIDS. RESULTS FROM STATEWIDE SAMPLING WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE COOPERATING STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCY AS THE DATA BECOMES AVAILABLE. WS ENCOURAGES THE COOPERATOR TO WORK JOINTLY WITH APHIS LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO PUBLISH OR OTHERWISE MAKE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE THE RESULTS OF THE WORK PERFORMED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. TEST RESULTS FOR INDIVIDUAL DEER WILL NOT BE MADE PUBLIC. POSITIVE RESULTS WILL BE SHARED WITH THE STATE WILDLIFE AGENCIES PRIOR TO SHARING WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE COOPERATOR WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH THE APHIS PROGRAM MANAGER TO COORDINATE COLLECTION OF SARS-COV-2 SAMPLES FROM NORTH AMERICAN CERVID SPECIES BY PARTNERING WITH STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. TO DATE, THE FIRST YEAR OF WHITE-TAILED DEER SURVEILLANCE, 3 APHIS-LED MANUSCRIPTS ARE CURRENTLY INTHE PEER-REVIEW PROCESS, AND APHIS IS CO-AUTHOR ON AN ADDITIONAL MANUSCRIPT CURRENTLY IN REVIEW. AT LEAST ONE PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION IS LIKELY TO BE PRODUCED FROM THIS WORK. PRINCIPAL AUTHORSHIP WILL BE RETAINED BY THE COOPERATOR AND CO-AUTHORSHIP WILL BE OFFERED TO THE ASSOCIATED APHIS COLLABORATORS. THE COOPERATOR WILL COORDINATE WITH APHIS TO ENSURE THAT THE TARGET NUMBERS OF SAMPLES FROM HUNTER-HARVEST WHITE-TAILED DEER, MULE DEER AND OTHER CERVIDS ARE COLLECTED TO MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: ALL FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE SARS-COV-2 IN WILD NORTH AMERICAN CERVID SPECIES. THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH WAFWA FOR CONTINUED SURVEILLANCE OF SARS-COV-2 IN CERVIDS WILL BENEFIT WILDLIFE MANAGERS AND RESEARCHERS, THE HEALTH OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS, AND POTENTIALLY, HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT INTENDS TO SUBAWARD FUNDS TO WAFWA MEMBER STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE OTHER AFWA SUBGROUPS (MAFWA, SEAFWA, NEAFWA). WAFWA WILL SUBAWARD FUNDS TO PARTICIPANTS TO COLLECT SARS-COV-2 SAMPLES FROM WHITE-TAILED DEER, MULE DEER, AND OTHER CERVIDS FROM HUNTER-HARVESTED ANIMALS, AND ANIMALS HANDLED VIA OTHER MANAGEMENT ACTIONS.

INTERMOUNTAIN WEST JOINT VENTURE (IWJV) STAFF

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM - 2013

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITATS

THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 FOR SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT AGRICULTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS TO PROTECT ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION ALONG THE CHIPOLA RIVER, IN THE APALACHICOLA-CHATTAHOOCHEE-FLINT RIVER BASIN. THE PROJECT WILL PROTECT AND RESTORE CRITICAL HABITAT, PROVIDE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER, AND ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION OF THE WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESOURCES FOR LISTED SPECIES AND PUBLIC USE.

FISH AND WILDLIFE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS

UNDERSTANDING TRENDS IN PUBLIC VALUES TOWARD WILDLIFE

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITATS

USGS/AFWA SCIENCE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT, DATED 9/14/2021

IN NORTH AMERICA, BIRD, BAT, AND INSECT POPULATIONS ARE ALL AT RISK OF SEVERE POPULATION DECLINES OR EXTINCTIONWITHOUT SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION ACTION. OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIONS IS LIMITED BY INSUFFICIENTINFORMATION ON BASIC NATURAL HISTORY FOR MANY SPECIES SUCH AS MIGRATORY PATHWAYS AND HABITAT USED ACROSS LIFECYCLES. THE MOTUS WILDLIFE TRACKING SYSTEM IS A NETWORK OF AUTOMATED RADIO TELEMETRY RECEIVING STATIONS THATDETECTS TRANSMITTERS IN A STANDARDIZED FORMAT AND IS ACCESSIBLE COLLABORATIVELY TO RESEARCHERS. THIS NETWORKENABLES RESEARCHERS TO TRACK LARGE AND SMALL-BODIED, HIGHLY MOBILE ANIMALS REGIONALLY OR CONTINENTALLY TO OBTAINIMPORTANT DATA NEEDED TO PROTECT SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED (SGCN) AND THEIR HABITATS. THIS PROJECTPROPOSES TO EXPAND THE MOTUS NETWORK IN THE PACIFIC AND INTERMOUNTAIN WESTERN UNITED STATES BY INSTALLING 30 NEWSTATIONS AND RETROFITTING 50 EXISTING STATIONS WITH NEW RECEIVERS THAT ENABLES DETECTIONS OF MULTIPLE TRANSMITTERFREQUENCIES. IN ADDITION, WE WILL USE THE EXPANDING MOTUS NETWORK TO UNDERSTAND THE MIGRATORY AND MOVEMENTPATHWAYS FOR FOUR SGCN, THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY (DANAUS PLEXIPPUS), HOARY BAT (LASIURUS CINEREUS), SILVER-HAIREDBAT (LASIONYCTERIS NOCTIVAGANS), AND WESTERN PURPLE MARTIN (PROGONE SUBIS ARBORICOLA). UNDERSTANDING MIGRATORYPATTERNS AND HABITAT USE WILL SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE THE POPULATION STATUS OF THESE RARE AND OR DECLINING SGCN ANDPROVIDE SECONDARY BENEFIT TO ADDITIONAL SGCN THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE HABITATS AND PATHWAYS IN PACIFIC ANDINTERMOUNTAIN REGIONS. WE EXPECT TO ELUCIDATE FULL LIFE CYCLE BEHAVIORS AND IMPORTANT HABITAT USED BY THESE SGCNUSING THIS EXPANDING MOTUS NETWORK. THIS WILL PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION NEEDED TO INFORM CONSERVATION ANDADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF POPULATIONS AND HABITATS, SUCH AS HABITAT RESTORATION AND OR PROTECTION THAT REDUCESTHREATS EFFECTING THESE SGCN AND THAT AIMS TO BUILD CLIMATE RESILIENCY.

SARP MARINE HABITAT RESTORATION

PROJECT TITLE ADVANCING STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE CLIMATE ADAPTATION THROUGH STATE AGENCY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION SCIENCE CENTER (CASC) COORDINATIONPROJECT DATES 5 17 2023 THROUGH 5 16 2026AWARD PURPOSE FISH AND WILDLIFE PROVIDE MANY IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEM AND CULTURAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES, AND ECONOMIES ACROSS THE NATION. MANY OBSERVED CHANGES IN THE GLOBAL CLIMATE ARE ALREADY IMPACTING THE NATIONS VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES. THESE IMPACTS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH CONTINUED CHANGES IN THE CLIMATE SYSTEM, PUTTING OUR NATIONS FISH AND WILDLIFE AT RISK. STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADDRESSING THESE RISKS BUT WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM LEVERAGING THE EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) AND FEDERAL PARTNERS. THIS PROJECT WILL IDENTIFY AND MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE NATIONS STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AS THEY ADDRESS CLIMATE IMPACTS ON NATURAL RESOURCES. THIS PROJECT WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY WHAT ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ARE WORKING BEST AND WHAT GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE STILL REMAIN. SPECIFICALLY, THIS PROJECT WILL 1) PROMOTE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANT CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY TO INCREASE CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2) IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO CLIMATE ADAPTION IDENTIFIED BY STATES AND THE SCIENCE NEEDED TO OVERCOME THOSE BARRIERS 3) COORDINATE WITH NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CASCS TO IDENTIFY SCIENCE NEEDS AND SHARE AND IMPLEMENT CASC SCIENCE.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED EXPAND AND PROMOTE THE NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS CLIMATE ADAPTATION NETWORK. UPDATE THE NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANT CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY AND PROMOTE AND TRACK ITS IMPLEMENTATION. CONDUCT SURVEY WITH STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND CAPACITY FOR ADAPTATION, SCIENCE NEEDS AND GAPS, AND ON THE GROUND ADAPTATION EFFORTS. CONNECT STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES WITH REGIONAL CASCS AND HOLD WORKSHOPS TO SHARE CASC SCIENCE AND RESEARCH PRODUCTS AND IDENTIFY EXISTING BARRIERS AND SCIENCE NEEDS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES DELIVERABLES 1. REVISED NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANT CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY 2. EXPANDED NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANT CLIMATE ADAPTATION NETWORK 3. WEBINAR SERIES HIGHLIGHTING RESEARCH, DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS, CASE STUDIES OF IMPLEMENTATION. 4. 2024 STATE CLIMATE ADAPTATION SURVEY REPORT 5. NINE WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIA, MEETINGS WITH REGIONAL CASCS AND STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES.OUTCOMES 1. USGS CASCS WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS, PRIORITIES, AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS THAT REMAIN FOR STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE. 2. STATE AGENCY RESOURCE MANAGERS WILL INCREASE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF SAFEGUARDING THE NATIONS FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES) THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN A VARIETY OF MUCH NEEDED PRODUCTS AND RESULTS THAT WILL BE USEFUL FOR BOTH CASCS AS WELL AS STATE AGENCIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IMPLEMENTING CLIMATE ADAPTATION.BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANT CLIMATE ADAPTATION NETWORK, AFWA CLIMATE ADAPTATION COMMITTEE, DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR USGS CLIMATE ADAPTATION SCIENCE CENTERS, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS, AND THE PUBLICSUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES N A

INCREASING CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT CAPACITY THROUGH SKILLS, LEADERSHIP, AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT

SOUTHEAST AQUATIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP MARINE HABITAT CONSERVATION

SUSTAINABLE AND EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT OF OUR WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES RELIES ONTHE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE STAFF IN FEDERAL, STATE, NON PROFIT, TRIBAL, ANDINDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS. THESE STAFF MUST BE EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THE INTRICATE AND COMPLEXPROBLEMS THAT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS FACE EVERY DAY. HOWEVER, HIGH RETIREMENT RATES ANDSTRUGGLES WITH RECRUITMENT WITHIN THESE AGENCIES CONTINUES TO IMPACT AND PUT CONSERVATION GAINS ATRISK. DATA REVEAL THE TENURE OF A STATE DIRECTOR IS AN AVERAGE OF THREE YEARS. THIS STAGGERING LOSSOF LEADERSHIP, COUPLED WITH THE CHALLENGES FACING STATE AGENCIES TO REMAIN RELEVANT, ADAPT TOCHANGING LANDSCAPES AND CONSTITUENCIES, AND SECURE STABLE SOURCES OF FUNDING, REQUIRES CONSISTENTLEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS WITHIN AN AGENCY. EMPOWERING AGENCY STAFF WITH THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ANDEFFICACY TO MANAGE PROJECTS WITH DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS, ACROSS GEOGRAPHIC RANGES, AND WITHIN THEIROWN AGENCIES IS ESSENTIAL TO WELL MANAGED AND THRIVING ORGANIZATION.OFFERING LEADERSHIP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF AT ALL LEVELS WITHIN CONSERVATION AGENCIESAND ORGANIZATIONS IS CRITICAL TO MOVING THE NEEDLE ON THESE COMPLEX ISSUES. THE MANAGEMENTASSISTANCE TEAM AND THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE OFFER A MULTITUDE OF COURSES ANDTRAININGS VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. FROM ONLINE SYNCHRONOUS COURSES,MULTI DAY WEBINARS, AND ASYNCHRONOUS OPTIONS TO LONG TERM, IN DEPTH, AND COMPREHENSIVE LEADERSHIPTRAINING, THE MAT AND NCLI CONTRACT WITH TOP NOTCH PROFESSIONALS TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY TRAINING.WE VE REACHED THOUSANDS OF STATE AGENCY PERSONNEL, EMPOWERING THEM TO MAKE LASTING CHANGES WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.

THE PUBLIC HAS COME TO RELY ON EFFECTIVE, COST-EFFICIENT, AND TRUSTWORTHY MANAGEMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES FROM OUR STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. THE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (MAT) AT THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) GOES BEYOND THE SCIENCE OF MANAGING SPECIES WE TAKE AGENCY STAFF TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE. INCREASINGLY, WE SEE THAT CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS MUST BE EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THE INTRICATE AND COMPLEX NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES THAT CROSS STATE AND NATIONAL BOUNDARIES. HOWEVER, RECRUITING AND RETAINING TALENTED POOLS OF EMPLOYEES CONTINUES TO IMPACT AND PUT CONSERVATION GAINS AT RISK. DATA REVEAL THE TENURE OF A STATE DIRECTOR IS AN AVERAGE OF THREE YEARS. THIS STAGGERING LOSS OF LEADERSHIP, COUPLED WITH THE CHALLENGES FACING STATE AGENCIES TO REMAIN RELEVANT, ADAPT TO CHANGING LANDSCAPES AND CONSTITUENCIES, AND SECURE STABLE FUNDING SOURCES, REQUIRES CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS WITHIN AN AGENCY. EMPOWERING AGENCY STAFF WITH THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EFFICACY TO MANAGE PROJECTS WITH DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS GEOGRAPHIC RANGES AND WITHIN THEIR OWN AGENCIES IS ESSENTIAL TO A WELL-MANAGED AND THRIVING ORGANIZATION.THE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM OFFERS IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO PEOPLE AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS, ALL AT A REASONABLE COST. FROM ONLINE SYNCHRONOUS COURSES, MULTI-DAY WEBINARS, AND ASYNCHRONOUS OPTIONS TO LONG-TERM, IN-DEPTH, AND COMPREHENSIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING, THE MAT AND THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (NCLI) CONTRACT WITH LEADERS IN THE FIELD TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING. WE VE REACHED THOUSANDS OF STATE AGENCY PERSONNEL, EMPOWERING THEM TO MAKE LASTING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES.

SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF SENIOR LEADERSHIP AND TENURED STAFF ACROSS STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES CONTINUES TO IMPACT AND PUT AT RISK THE CONSERVATION COMMUNITYS FUTURE. THIS STAGGERING LOSS OF LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, COUPLED WITH THE CHALLENGES FACING THESE AGENCIES TO REMAIN RELEVANT, ADAPT TO CHANGING LANDSCAPES AND CONSTITUENCIES, AND OR SECURE FUNDING TO NAME A FEWREQUIRES CONTINUED, ONGOING, AND FOCUSED LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-MANAGED FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES STRATEGIC PLAN. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE WILDLIFE RESTORATION AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACTS BY DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN STATE AND TRIBAL FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING NON-PROFITS AND EXCISE-TAX PAYING INDUSTRY PARTNERS. COMPARED TO ISOLATED ATTEMPTS TO FOSTER LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, THIS GRANT OFFERS A COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT APPROACH TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT CAPITALIZES ON CONSISTENT, SKILLED TRAINING AND PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING WITHIN A SHARED EXPERIENCE OF WORKING TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (MAT) PROPOSES A NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. THE PROJECT WILL DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING, CONSULTING AND RESOURCES TO ENHANCE STAFF EFFECTIVENESS, IMPROVE RETENTION, AND SUPPORT CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH THE WILDLIFE RESTORATION AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACTS. THIS INITIATIVE ADDRESSES A CRITICAL NEED: STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE FACING RAPID CHANGES IN WORKFORCE SKILLS REQUIREMENTS, LOSS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND INCREASING CONSERVATION CHALLENGES. ACCORDING TO A JANUARY 2025 REPORT FROM THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM: OVERALL, EMPLOYERS EXPECT 39% OF WORKERS CORE SKILLS TO CHANGE BY 2030. STATE AGENCY STAFF HAVE ALSO NOTED THE LACK OF COORDINATED, CROSS-AGENCY TRAINING EFFORTS, RESULTING IN MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION AND EFFICIENCY. AFWAS MAT IS A TRUSTED PROVIDER OF LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO STATE AGENCIES AND IS UNIQUELY EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS THIS NEED. WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND DEEP CONNECTIONS TO STATES, MAT IS POSITIONED TO SCALE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE TRAINING AND BUILD STRONGER CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATION. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM (MSCGP), THIS PROJECT WILL SCALE UP DELIVERY AND COORDINATION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES NATIONWIDE. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT TWO PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: (1) DELIVER AT LEAST 800 TRAINING ENGAGEMENTS THROUGH ONLINE COURSES, LIVE WEBINARS, IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS AND ON-DEMAND TRAININGS AND (2) DEVELOP A DYNAMIC TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE GUIDE AND DIRECTORY TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES, BUILD COMMUNITY AMONG TRAINING LEADS AND PROMOTE CROSS-AGENCIES LEARNING. MAT WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO ITS COURSES AND WEBINARS, WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS OF INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY AND PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT. THE TEAM WILL TRACK PARTICIPATION AND OUTCOMES TO ENSURE BROAD REACH ACROSS AGENCIES. BY INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE BEHIND CONSERVATION, THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS AFWA S MSCGP STRATEGIC PRIORITIES TO ENHANCE WORKFORCE EFFECTIVENESS AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES. THE BENEFITS WILL EXTEND WELL BEYOND THE GRANT PERIOD, AS TRAINING RESOURCES REMAIN AVAILABLE, AND THE TRAINING LEADS NETWORK CONTINUES TO DRIVE COLLABORATION AND SHARED GROWTH NATIONWIDE.

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION

THE YY MALE CONSORTIUM CONSORTIUM IS AN INITIATIVE SPONSORED BY THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFEAGENCIES WAFWA TO DEVELOP NEW APPROACHES FOR ERADICATING INVASIVE FISH SPECIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPORTFISHING AND NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION. WAFWA REPRESENTS 24 STATES AND CANADIAN PROVINCES COVERING NEARLY 3.7 MILLION SQUARE MILES OF SOME OF NORTH AMERICAS MOST WILD AND SCENIC COUNTRY INHABITED BY OVER 1500 PREMIER WILDLIFE SPECIES. SINCE 1922 WAFWAS GOAL HAS BEEN TO SUPPORT SOUND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND BUILD PARTNERSHIPS AT ALL LEVELS TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF ALL CITIZENS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. OUR MISSION IS TO ADVANCE COLLABORATIVE PROACTIVE SCIENCEBASED FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE WEST.ANNUALLY FISH MANAGERS SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ATTEMPTING TO ERADICATE INVASIVE FISH SPECIES THROUGH CHEMICALAND MECHANICAL REMOVAL WITH FEW DOCUMENTED CASES OF SUCCESS. IN ADDITION WITH NEW INTRODUCTIONS OF INVASIVEFISH MANAGERS HAVE FEW TOOLS TO STOP AN INTRODUCTION BEFORE THE INVASIVE FISH GETS ESTABLISHED. THE CONSORTIUMSWORK IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING APPROACH. MALE FISH TYPICALLY HAVE AN X AND A Y CHROMOSOME BUT IN THE HATCHERYSCIENTISTS HAVE DEVELOPED GENETICALLY ALL YY MALE BROODSTOCKS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE NUMBERS OF YY MALE FISH FOR USE IN COMBATING INVASIVE FISH. THE BASIC APPROACH IS SIMPLE. FOR ERADICATION EFFORTS YOU REMOVE 2550% OF THE TARGET INVASIVE FISH SPECIES ANNUALLY AND THEN STOCK AN EQUIVALENT NUMBER OF YY MALES TO REPLACE THE FISHTHAT ARE REMOVED. THE YY MALES BREED WITH WILD FEMALES AND PRODUCE ONLY MALE OFFSPRING. OVER TIME THE INVASIVE POPULATION BECOME ALL MALES. WHEN THIS OCCURS YOU CONTINUE STOCKING YY MALES UNTIL THE INVASIVE POPULATION DIES OUT IN A MATTER OF YEARS DEPENDING ON HOW LONG LIVED THE SPECIES IS. BECAUSE THE YY MALES ARE NOT GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS GMO IF THE DECISION IS MADE TO STOP THE PROGRAM THE SEX RATIO WILL RETURN TO 50:50 MALE TO FEMALE AND CONTINUE ON COMPLETELY REVERSIBLE.IN THE CASE OF NEW INTRODUCTIONS IF THEY ARE DETECTED EARLY AND A YY MALE BROODSTOCK IS AVAILABLE FOR THE TARGETSPECIES YOU SIMPLY STOCK THE YY MALES WITH THE INVASIVE POPULATION AND CONVERT THEM TO ALL MALES QUICKLY NEVERALLOWING THE INTRODUCTION TO GET GOING. IN ADDITION WHERE CONCERNS ABOUT REINVASION ARE ELEVATED ONCEERADICATION IS ACHIEVED YY MALES CAN CONTINUE TO BE STOCKED AT LOW LEVELS TO PREVENT ANY REINVASIONS FROMTAKING OFF. ONGOING FIELD STUDIES ACROSS THE WEST ARE NOW DEMONSTRATING THAT INVASIVE BROOK TROUT CAN BEERADICATED FROM SMALL STREAMS IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS USING YY MALE BROOK TROUT. CURRENTLY THE YY MALE BROOK TROUT HATCHERY STOCK IS THE ONLY ONE FULLY DEVELOPED AND BEING FIELD TESTED.THE CONSORTIUM WAS FORMED IN 2018 AND HAS CONTINUED TO PIONEER THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF YY MALE FISH AS A TOOL TO COMBAT INVASIVE FISHES. THE CONSORTIUM HAS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING THE SCIENCE THAT WILL LEAD TO THE CREATION OF YY MALE BROODSTOCKS FOR FIVE INVASIVE SPECIES COMMON CARP WALLEYE AND LAKE TROUT BROWN TROUT AND NORTHERN PIKE. WITH THIS PROPOSAL THE CONSORTIUM SEEKS ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ACCELERATE AND ENHANCE THREE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THEIR RESEARCH MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN OVER THE NEXT 3YEARS. THEY ARE 1 COMPLETE THE SCIENCE FOR BROWN TROUT AND COMMON CARP YY MALE BROODSTOCKS 2 WORK WITH FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW YY MALE BROODSTOCKS AND 3 INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE CONSORTIUM COORDINATOR CURRENTLY TIME TO ENSURE THE EXPANDED SCOPE AND ACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FUNDING HAVE THE NECESSARY OVERSIGHT. BENEFICIARIES WILL INCLUDE THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO WILL BENEFIT WITH THE RESTORATION OF NATIVE FISHES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FISHERIES ALONG WITH FISHERIES MANAGERS WHO WILL HAVE NEW TOOLS TO COMBAT ONE OF THE MOST PERVASIVE IMPACTS TO THE RIVERS AND LAKES THEY MANAGE FOR THE PUBLIC.

AFWA MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (MAT) AND NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (NCLI) -LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR AFWA MEMBERS AND THE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY.

SARP COORDINATION, FISH BARRIER INVENTORY DATABASE - PHASE II, STREAM RESTORATION ON PICKWICK LAKE, VALLEY RIVER WATERSHED

NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP

WSFR: AFWA, MS MAT TEAM TRAINING

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (MAT) AND THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND PROMOTING STRATEGIC FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH REGIONALLY-COORDINATED SCIENCE

RESEARCH COORDINATING MECHANISM BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES

MAT TEAM

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM - HELPING STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES DEVELOP LEADERSHIP CAPACITY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADER

PROMOTING STATEGIC FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH REGIONALLY-COORDINATED SCIENCE AND COLLABORATION

WAFWA SWG - PREDICTING RESPONSES OF SHORT-EARED OWL POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION, AND HABITAT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (MAT) AND THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE {NCLI) STAFFED BY THE MAT TEAM

SE-U2 REGIONAL HELLBENDER CONSERVATION

PROMOTING STRATEGIC FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH REGIONALLY-COORDINATED SCIENCE AND COLLABORATION1

RESEARCH NEEDS SURROUNDING CLIMATE ACTIVITIES, MIGRATORY BIRDS, AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES, SPECIES

THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (WAFWA) AND THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (HEREAFTER SERVICE) SEEK TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL WILDLIFE HEALTH COORDINATION EFFORT TO FACILITATE THE PRIORITIZATION AND ASSESSMENT OF WESTERN WILDLIFE HEALTH NEEDS AND PROVIDE NATIONAL COORDINATION BETWEEN THE SERVICE AND THE OTHER 3 REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. THIS EFFORT WILL BE ADMINISTERED SOLELY THROUGH WAFWA S EXECUTIVE OFFICE UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT WHICH ESTABLISHES A LEAD REGIONAL WILDLIFE HEALTH COORDINATOR POSITION, SELECTED BY AND OPERATING IN SERVICE TO WAFWA MEMBERS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP IS TO HELP ADDRESS THE INCREASING THREAT OF WILDLIFE-RELATED EMERGING DISEASES AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR VALUED WILDLIFE RESOURCES. SUCH THREATS DEMONSTRATE THE CRITICAL NEED FOR THE CREATION OF REGIONAL WILDLIFE HEALTH COORDINATION WITHIN EACH OF THE REGIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSOCIATIONS (I.E., NEAFWA, SEAFWA, MAFWA AND WAFWA). THE COORDINATOR POSITION WILL SERVE WAFWA AND WORK WITH AFWAS FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH COORDINATOR AND WAFWA COMMITTEES AND WORK GROUPS (SUCH AS WAFWAS WILDLIFE HEALTH COMMITTEE WHC) AS ASSIGNED BY LEADERSHIP TO BRING WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO READINESS AND VOLUNTARILY COORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS REGIONALLY. THE ASSIGNED REGIONAL COORDINATOR AND ALL SUPPORTING ROLES WORK UNDER WAFWA LEADERSHIP AND WILL PROVIDE A CENTRAL POINT OF COMMUNICATION AS A LIAISON TO THE FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, INCLUDING STATE, TRIBAL, FEDERAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS FOR AFWA TO PARTNER WITH THE USFWS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND COORDINATION ONISSUES AND SUBJECTS WITHIN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. THE SUBJECTS BEING FOCUSED ON WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORKARE CLIMATE CHANGE, AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION, INVASIVE SPECIES, BAT CONSERVATION, BIRDCONSERVATION, INVERTEBRATE AND POLLINATOR CONSERVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION. AFWA WILLSUPPORT AND COORDINATE THIS WORK ON THESE ISSUES BETWEEN STATES, FWS, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES ANDPRIVATE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. EACH INITIATIVE INVOLVES STAFFING AND LEADING COMMITTEES TO FORMULATEPLANS OF ACTION ON THESE ISSUES AS WELL AS PROJECT-BASED WORK OVER THE LIFE CYCLE OF THIS AWARD. AFWA WILLUSE STAFF TIME AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM THE WORK DETAILED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THISAGREEMENT. PLEASE REFER TO THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH PLAN OF ACTION SURROUNDING THISAGREEMENT.

SOUTHEAST AQUATIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP-IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN IN SOUTHEAST REGION

IMPROVING A FISH BARRIER DATABASE FOR THE INTERMOUNTAIN AND GREAT PLAINS LANDSCAPE AND CREATING A FISH BARRIER DATABASE FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION

MAINTAINING STATE AGENCY LEADERSHIP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE THROUGH REVISION OF STATE SWAPS.

HQ WESTERN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND COORDINATION

COORDINATION OF FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION TO OPTIMIZE FISH & WILDLIFE BENEFITS TO THE STATES

THIS PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS COLLABORATION IS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF SARS-COV-2 IN WILD, FREE-RANGING CARNIVORE SPECIES, AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. WILD CARNIVORE SPECIES INCLUDING AMERICAN BADGER (TAXIDEA TAXUS), BOBCAT (LYNX RUFUS),

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS FOR AFWA TO PARTNER WITH THE USFWS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND COORDINATION ON ISSUES AND SUBJECTS WITHIN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. THE SUBJECTS BEING FOCUSED ON WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORK ARE FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH, CLIMATE CHANGE, AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION, INVASIVE SPECIES, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION, BAT CONSERVATION, AND INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION. AFWA WILL SUPPORT AND COORDINATE THIS WORK ON THESE ISSUES BETWEEN STATES, FWS, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PRIVATE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. EACH INITIATIVE INVOLVES STAFFING AND LEADING COMMITTEES TO FORMULATE PLANS OF ACTIONS ON THESE ISSUES AS WELL AS PROJECT BASED WORK OVER THE LIFE CYCLE OF THIS AWARD. AFWA WILL USE STAFF S TIME AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM THE WORK DETAILED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS AGREEMENT. PLEASE REFER TO THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR A MORE IN DEPTH PLAN OF ACTION SURROUNDING THIS AGREEMENT.

THIS PROJECT IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM, SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, MIDWEST ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, INTERNATIONAL HUNTER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION, ERESOURCES LLC VIA STUDIO DIVISION, AND THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION. THIS INITIATIVE AIMS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM PARTICIPATION AND RETENTION IN ARCHERY AND OTHER OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AMONG STUDENTS INTRODUCED TO ARCHERY THROUGH THE NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN THE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES STATES, 353,714 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM DURING THE 2024 AND 2025 REPORTING YEARS, AND 452,750 PARTICIPATED IN THE MIDWEST ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES STATES. ACROSS THESE REGIONS, 8,598 SCHOOLS HOST THE NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM, WITH PROGRAM COORDINATORS HOUSED WITHIN STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. DESPITE STRONG INTEREST, MANY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES LACK AWARENESS OF ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN ARCHERY, FISHING, AND HUNTER AND BOWHUNTER EDUCATION. STUDIES BY THE ARCHERY TRADE ASSOCIATION CONFIRM A DROP-OFF IN PARTICIPATION AFTER GRADUATION DUE TO LIMITED AWARENESS OF LOCAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PROJECT WILL CONNECT PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES DIRECTLY WITH NEARBY ARCHERY RANGES, URBAN FISHING SITES, AND HUNTER AND BOWHUNTER EDUCATION COURSES, PROMOTING LIFELONG RECREATIONAL HABITS, INCREASED FAMILY INVOLVEMENT, AND ENHANCED CONSERVATION AWARENESS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MAPPING NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM SCHOOLS AND NEARBY RESOURCES IN UP TO TEN STATES, LAUNCHING REGIONALLY TARGETED DIGITAL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS USING GEOFENCING TECHNOLOGY, DISTRIBUTING FAMILY-ORIENTED DIGITAL RESOURCE PACKAGES THROUGH SCHOOL COACHES, AND IMPLEMENTING AN EVALUATION FRAMEWORK THAT TRACKS PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACROSS SCHOOLS, RANGES, AND FISHING LOCATIONS. PARTNERS WILL COLLABORATE TO ENSURE ACCURATE MAPPING, DEVELOP MESSAGING THAT RESONATES WITH YOUTH AND FAMILIES, AND PROVIDE ONGOING ANALYSIS OF CAMPAIGN SUCCESS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED AWARENESS OF LOCAL RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, MEASURABLE GROWTH IN VISITS TO COMMUNITY ARCHERY RANGES AND FISHING SITES, ENHANCED FAMILY PARTICIPATION, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCALABLE MODEL FOR REPLICABLE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION STRATEGIES. DELIVERABLES INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE MAPPING REPORT, CREATIVE MARKETING MATERIALS, AN ADVERTISING AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN WITH ANALYSIS, DIGITAL RESOURCE PACKAGES, A FULL PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT, QUARTERLY TREND REPORTING, AND A FINAL PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS FOR STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND PARTNERS. THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES ARE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM AND THEIR FAMILIES, ALONG WITH STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN OUTDOOR RECREATION.

COORDINATION OF FARM BILL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION TO OPTMIZE FISH AND WILDLIFE BENEFITS TO THE STATES.

THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD. THIS POSITION, SUPPORTED BY AFWA WILL PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS AND THE OVERALL NFHP PROGRAM, AS WELL AS PROVIDE SCIENCE AND DATA SUPPORT FOR NFHP, PROJECT TRACKING SUPPORT THROUGH THE PSMFC AS WELL AS TRAVEL AND MEETING SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, BOARD STAFF, AND SCIENCE AND DATA MANAGERS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN ASSOCIATED NFHP MEETINGS.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE USFWS FAC PROGRAM, NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD, NFHP FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS, AND STATES THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES

SYLVACTIC PLAQUE MANAGEMENT IN PRAIRIE DOGS AND BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS

THE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES IS PARTNERING WITH THE COUNCIL TO ADVANCE HUNTING AND THE SHOOTING SPORTS (COUNCIL) AND THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION TO LAUNCH A REGIONAL HUNT FOR GOOD CAMPAIGN AIMED AT INCREASING SUPPORT OF LEGAL, REGULATED HUNTING AMONG NON-HUNTERS. RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENTS AMERICANS ATTITUDES TOWARDS HUNTING AND SHOOTING SPORTS 2025 REPORT SHOWS THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR LEGAL HUNTING HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. TO ADDRESS THIS, THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION DEVELOPED HUNT FOR GOOD. IT IS THE ONLY NATIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON BUILDING CULTURAL SUPPORT FOR HUNTING BY HIGHLIGHTING THEMES THAT RESONATE WITH NON-HUNTERS, SUCH AS STEWARDSHIP, QUALITY FOOD, SOCIAL CONNECTION, AND WILDLIFE HEALTH. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL, THE CAMPAIGN WAS IMPLEMENTED FOUR TIMES BETWEEN 2023 AND 2025, WHICH WAS A LIMITED NATIONAL RUN, A NORTHEAST EFFORT TARGETING BOSTON, PHILADELPHIA, AND WASHINGTON, DC, AND TWICE IN MISSOURI. THESE EFFORTS GENERATED 45,652,842 UNIQUE IMPRESSIONS, REACHING THE MIDDLE 80 PERCENT OF THE PUBLIC THAT DOES NOT HUNT BUT MAY BE PERSUADED TO SUPPORT IT. LIKE MANY MARKETING-FOCUSED MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANTS, EARLY HUNT FOR GOOD EFFORTS DID NOT SUFFICIENTLY CONNECT RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION (R3) WORK TO THE CORE OUTCOME OF INCREASING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUNTING, RELYING INSTEAD ON WEAKER METRICS SUCH AS OPEN RATES, CLICKS, AND TIME ON PAGE. THIS PROPOSAL ADVANCES THE CAMPAIGN BY ADDING AN EVALUATION COMPONENT TO ASSESS WHETHER CONTENT ACTUALLY IMPROVES VIEWER PERCEPTIONS. USING SIX ORIGINAL HUNT FOR GOOD CREATIVE THEMES (E.G., HUNT FOR CLARITY, HUNT FOR FREEDOM), THE COUNCIL AND 2060 DIGITAL, WILL CREATE SIX THEME-SPECIFIC LANDING PAGES FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA) THAT WILL BE CREATED WITHIN THE ORIGINAL AND ACTIVE HUNT FOR GOOD WEBPAGE. PAGES WILL BE HOSTED BY PROJECT SUBRECIPIENT 2060 DIGITAL, THE MARKETING FIRM MANAGING AD BUYS, PLACEMENTS, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION. EACH LANDING PAGE WILL EXPLAIN WHY AND HOW ITS THEME REPRESENTS A BENEFIT OF HUNTING. 2060 DIGITAL WILL RUN AD BUYS AND PLACEMENTS FOR ADS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF THE SIX CREATIVE THEMES IN OR NEAR MAJOR POPULATION CENTERS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST THAT SERVE AT LEAST EIGHT SEAFWA MEMBER STATES. EACH AD WILL LINK TO ITS ASSOCIATED LANDING PAGE, AND VIEWERS WILL RECEIVE A POP-UP SURVEY ASSESSING WHETHER THEY FALL WITHIN THE TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC AND WHETHER THE CONTENT THEY VIEWED POSITIVELY INFLUENCED THEIR PERSPECTIVE OF HUNTING. THIS APPROACH WAS SELECTED OVER BROAD-BAND SURVEYING TO ENSURE RESPONSES COME ONLY FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ACTUALLY VIEWED CAMPAIGN CONTENT. EACH LANDING PAGE WILL ALSO INCLUDE SEAFWA-CURATED LINKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. AD BUYS WILL BE OPTIMIZED THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN BASED ON PLATFORM PERFORMANCE, AND SEAFWA MEMBER STATES WILL BE OFFERED ADS TO RUN PARALLEL EFFORTS TO DRIVE ORGANIC TRAFFIC TO THE CAMPAIGN LANDING PAGES. WHILE STANDARD OUTPUTS LIKE IMPRESSIONS, CLICKS, AND TIME ON PAGE WILL BE TRACKED, THE PRIMARY OUTCOME WILL BE SURVEY DATA SHOWING WHETHER EXPOSURE TO HUNT FOR GOOD STRENGTHENS SUPPORT FOR HUNTING AMONG NON-HUNTERS IN URBAN AREAS WHO RECREATE OUTDOORS, AND WHICH ADS WERE MOST EFFECTIVE. GOOGLE ANALYTICS WILL IDENTIFY WHICH SUPPLEMENTAL LINKS DREW THE MOST ENGAGEMENT, INFORMING FUTURE REFINEMENTS. DELIVERABLES INCLUDE CUSTOMIZED REGIONAL LANDING PAGES, AN EVALUATION REPORT, AND CAMPAIGN ASSETS FOR STATES AND PARTNERS. BY MEASURING WHETHER THE CAMPAIGN ACTUALLY IMPROVES PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUNTING, THIS PROJECT CAN MODEL HOW R3 EFFORTS SHOULD BE TIED TO OUTCOMES, ENCOURAGING BROADER ADOPTION OF STRONGER EVALUATION PRACTICES AND RAISING EXPECTATIONS FOR FUTURE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT APPLICATIONS ACROSS HUNTING, SHOOTING SPORTS, FISHING, AND BOATING.

FUNDS UNDER THIS AWARD ARE TO BE USED TO REPLACE ROAD-STREAM CROSSINGS WITH LARGER STRUCTURES, ALLOWING FOR FISH PASSAGE AND RESTORATION OF AQUATIC HABITAT FOR FEDERALLY LISTED AND AT-RISK SPECIES IN TENNESSEE.

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE CHARGED WITH MANAGING WILDLIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. NUMEROUS FEDERAL AGENCIES SHARE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS STATE BOUNDARIES. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGO) DEDICATED TO CONSERVING SPECIFIC SPECIES AND LANDSCAPES ACT REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY IN COORDINATION WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES. WITHOUT STRONG COORDINATION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REALIZE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THESE VARIED EFFORTS. COORDINATING SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION EFFORTS AMONG ALL INVOLVED PARTIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA REQUIRES THE RESOURCES TO BRING STATE AGENCY LEADERS TO THE TABLE. MANY STATE AGENCIES WHOSE RESOURCES ARE FOCUSED ON INTERNAL, STATE-FOCUSED EFFORTS (OFTEN INADEQUATE FOR THAT PURPOSE) WOULD BE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE EFFORTS WITHOUT EXTERNAL FUNDING SUPPORT. RELATED TO THIS IS THE NECESSITY FOR DEDICATED RESOURCES TO FOSTER, MAINTAIN, AND GROW RELATIONS BETWEEN STATE AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY. THE LATTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCISE TAX CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM, WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORS TO AGENCY BUDGETS. WHEN STATE AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY ARE NOT ACTIVELY MEETING AND COORDINATING, THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND DYSFUNCTION. OPPORTUNITIES TO COORDINATE WITH INDUSTRY EXIST AT SPECIFIC EVENTS AND AT MOST OTHER CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS WHERE NGO INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES ARE PRESENT.CENTRALIZED COMMUNICATIONS ENSURE THAT RELEVANT ISSUES ARE BROUGHT TO LIGHT, AND STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND THEIR PARTNERS CAN DEBATE AND DISCUSS THE BEST SOLUTIONS TO CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ISSUES. THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY NOT 508 COMPLIANT. SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE IS IMPORTANT FOR WEBSITES BECAUSE IT MAKES THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO A BROADER AUDIENCE, INCLUDING AFWA S MEMBERS.STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY LEADERSHIP IN LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. IN 2018, AFWA PASSED A RESOLUTION ON LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION THAT ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION AND THE NEED FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE (FWS) BECAUSE OF THEIR UNIQUE ROLES AND AUTHORITIES OVER FISH AND WILDLIFE. THREE OF THE FOUR FISH AND WILDLIFE REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS HAVE ESTABLISHED REGIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION COLLABORATIVES WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FWS. A FULL-TIME NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION COORDINATOR IS NEEDED TO 1) PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL STAFFING OF THE AFWA FWS LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION JOINT TASK FORCE 2) SUPPORT COORDINATION BETWEEN REGIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION COLLABORATIVES 3) SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AFWA PRESIDENTS TASK FORCE ON SHARED SCIENCE AND LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION AND THE STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK 4) AND SERVE AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE STATES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS, AND NGOS WORKING IN THE LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SPACE TO FOMENT COMMUNICATION AND RAISE AWARENESS AND SECURE RESOURCES FOR REGIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION PRIORITIES. THE FWS AND REGIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSOCIATIONS PROVIDED FUNDING OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO HIRE A PART-TIME NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION COORDINATOR. FUNDING FOR THE PART-TIME POSITION WILL END IN SEPTEMBER 2023. THIS PROPOSAL SEEKS FUNDING FOR A FULL-TIME COORDINATOR FOR ONE YEAR. ADDITIONAL FUNDING WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE FUTURE TO CONTINUE THIS COORDINATION CAPACITY.THIS PROPOSAL WILL ALLOW FOR COORDINATING CONSERVATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BY STATE, REGIONAL, TERRITORIAL, AND PROVINCIAL FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (INCLUDING CANADIAN LEADERSHIP INVOLVED IN US CONSERVATION EFFORTS). THIS COORDINATION WILL LEAD TO BETTER POLICY, GREATER EFFICIENCY, AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

IMPROVING THE CONSERVATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND THEIR HABITATS DURING ENERGY EXPLORATION THROUGH ENHANCED COORDINATION

COORDINATION OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 2021 - 2022

THE STATES CONSERVATION STORY HAS GONE LARGELY UNTOLD ON A NATIONAL SCALE, LEAVING THE PUBLIC UNAWARE OF OUR GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACHIEVED THROUGH SUPPORT OF THE WILDLIFE RESTORATION AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACTS. CONSEQUENTLY, STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD, THEIR EXPERTISE AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH CONSERVATION ARE NOT RECOGNIZED, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND PUBLIC SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT ARE MISSED - ESPECIALLY AMONG NON-FISHING AND NON-HUNTING AUDIENCES WHO ALSO BENEFIT FROM CONSERVATION WORK FUNDED THROUGH THE ACTS.AFWA S EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND DIVERSITY (EOD) COMMITTEE CREATED THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION OUTREACH STRATEGY IN 2018 TO INCREASE STATE AGENCY PUBLIC RELEVANCY. THIS STRATEGY PROVIDED A TOOLKIT THAT ENABLED EACH STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ITS ROLE IN PROTECTING AND CONSERVING WILDLIFE. IN 2019 MAKING IT LAST CAMPAIGN WAS PILOTED TO HELP LEARN HOW TO BEST TELL THE STORY TO BOOST AGENCY PUBLIC RELEVANCY, FOLLOWED BY A SECOND PHASE TO FINE-TUNE AND FURTHER TEST THE INITIATIVE. HOWEVER, STATES LIMITED BUDGETS AND UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE CAMPAIGN S EFFECTIVENESS REDUCED THE NUMBER OF STATES ABLE TO IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE THE CAMPAIGN. WITH THE RELEVANCY TOPIC BECOMING MORE CRITICAL EVERY YEAR, THE NEED EXISTS TO FIELD A REBRANDED AND TESTED CAMPAIGN ACCOMPANIED BY IMPROVED TOOLKIT MATERIALS AND EVALUATION.THIS PROJECT WILL ADVANCE THE PUBLIC CASE FOR WHY AGENCIES, AND THE CONSERVATION WORK THEY DO UNDER THE ACTS, MATTER TO EVERYONE. THIS THIRD PHASE WILL FOCUS ON ENGAGING MORE STATES BY REBRANDING AWAY FROM THE MAKING IT LAST THEME TO A MORE DIRECTLY RELEVANT BRAND AND MESSAGING CONTENT. THESE WILL BE DEVELOPED USING PUBLIC TESTING AND BEST PRACTICES, AND LESSONS PREVIOUSLY LEARNED. WE WILL FOCUS ON UPDATING AND UPGRADING THE STORY OF STATE-BASED CONSERVATION THROUGH MESSAGING AND MATERIALS DESIGNED TO RESONATE BETTER WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE AGENCY STAFF. PHASE 3 WILL ALSO REVISE THE CAMPAIGN IN PART THROUGH THE LENS OF EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT TO HELP STATES BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN BE MORE RELEVANT IN THE EYES OF PROSPECTIVE FUTURE STAFF. WE WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT THE NEW TOOLKIT IN AT LEAST TWO PILOT STATES TO EVALUATE PUBLIC REACTIONS AND RECEPTIVENESS. THE RESULT WILL BE A CAMPAIGN THAT MORE STATE AGENCIES WILL UTILIZE TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY AMONG AUDIENCES NOT TRADITIONALLY ENGAGED IN CONSERVATION OR FISH AND WILDLIFE-BASED RECREATION.

SA: COORDINATION OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD THIS POSITION SUPPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES WILL PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS AND THE OVERALL NFHP PROGRAM, AS WELL AS PROVIDE SCIENCE AND DATA SUPPORT FOR NFHP, PROJECT TRACKING SUPPORT THROUGH THE PACIFIC STATES FISHERIES COMMISSION AS WELL AS TRAVEL AND MEETING SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, BOARD STAFF, AND SCIENCE AND DATA MANAGERS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN ASSOCIATED NFHP MEETINGS THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE NFHP PROGRAM, USFWS, AND AFWA IN MEETING OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICA S CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT ACT WHICH CODIFIED THE NFHP PROGRAM IN 2020 THE FOLLOWING LIST THE BROAD ACTIVITIES ENVISIONED UNDER THE AGREEMENT FOR ITS FULL DURATION THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS AGREEMENT MIRROR THOSE OF THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN 2ND EDITION 2012 OBJECTIVE 1 ACHIEVE MEASURABLE HABITAT CONSERVATION RESULTS THROUGH STRATEGIC ACTIONS OF FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS FHPS THAT IMPROVE ECOLOGICAL CONDITION, RESTORE NATURAL PROCESSES, OR PREVENT THE DECLINE OF INTACT AND HEALTHY SYSTEMS LEADING TO BETTER FISH HABITAT CONDITIONS AND INCREASED FISHING OPPORTUNITIES OBJECTIVE 2 BROADEN THE COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION BY INCREASING FISHING OPPORTUNITIES, FOSTERING THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE IN CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES, AND RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ROLE HEALTHY FISH HABITATS PLAY IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 3 FILL GAPS IN THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT AND ITS ASSOCIATED DATABASE TO EMPOWER STRATEGIC CONSERVATION ACTION SUPPORTED BY BROADLY AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION AND INTEGRATE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA IN THE ANALYSIS TO IMPROVE PEOPLE S LIVES IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION GOALS OBJECTIVE 4 COMMUNICATE THE CONSERVATION OUTCOMES PRODUCED COLLECTIVELY BY FHPS, AS WELL AS NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND VOLUNTARY APPROACHES FOR CONSERVING FISH HABITAT, TO THE PUBLIC, ANGLERS, AND CONSERVATION PARTNERS OBJECTIVE 5 SUPPORT OPERATIONS OF THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE USFWS FAC PROGRAM, NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD, NFHP FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS, AND STATES THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF FISHAND WILDLIFE AGENCIES

SOCIAL INFLUENCER EFFORTS HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ACCOMPLISH R3 (RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, REACTIVATION) GOALS. THIS PROJECT WILL ENABLE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA) STATES TO BENEFIT FROM THIS MARKETING STRATEGY WITH MINIMUM TIME AND RESOURCE COMMITMENT, WHICH IS CRITICAL SINCE MOST STATES HAVE LIMITED STAFF, BUDGETS, AND EXPERIENCE WITH SOCIAL INFLUENCERS AS A MEANS OF EXECUTING A CAMPAIGN ON THEIR OWN. THIS PROJECT IS SPECIFICALLY MODELED AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROJECT EXECUTED PREVIOUSLY BY SEAFWA ON HUNTING R3 THAT PRODUCED THE ACCLAIMED MORE TO THE HUNT PROGRAM. THIS PROJECT WILL HIRE ONE AD AGENCY TO MANAGE THIS SOCIAL INFLUENCER CAMPAIGN. THE AD AGENCY WILL HIRE 5-10 SOCIAL INFLUENCERS WITH TIES TO THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. (E.G., COLLEGE ATHLETES, HUNTERS, OUTDOORSY FOLKS, OR ANYONE WITH STRONG FOLLOWINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT COULD HAVE A TIE TO TRAPPING) TO CREATE AUTHENTIC FURBEARER TRAPPING HUNTING CONTENT TO SHARE ON THEIR CHANNELS. THE INFLUENCER WOULD ALSO PROVIDE TEXT, IMAGES AND VIDEOS THAT COULD BE USED BY ALL STATE AGENCIES INTO PERPETUITY. THE R3 COMMITTEE WOULD WORK WITH EACH SEAFWA STATE TO DETERMINE WHICH INFLUENCER(S) THEY BELIEVE WOULD BE MOST EFFECTIVE IN THEIR STATE, AND THE AD AGENCY WOULD ALSO BOOST THESE INFLUENCER POSTS TO REACH LOOKALIKE AUDIENCES OF THE INFLUENCERS FOLLOWERS. SOCIAL INFLUENCERS WOULD BE IDENTIFIED AND MANAGED BY AN ADVERTISING AGENCY CALLED MGH, WHICH HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN THE R3 HUNTING ARENA. MGH, ALONG WITH THE SEAFWA R3 COMMITTEE AND FUR TAKERS OF AMERICA, WOULD SCREEN AND RECRUIT THE MOST APPROPRIATE INFLUENCERS, WORK WITH THEM TO ENSURE THEY PRODUCE THE RIGHT CONTENT, BOOST POSTS, TRACK RESULTS, AND SHARE CREATIVE CONTENT WITH STATES. OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO CREATE CONTENT WITH THESE INFLUENCERS THAT HAS A SHELF LIFE OF AT LEAST 5 YEARS. STATES WOULD BE ABLE TO USE (AT NO COST) THIS CONTENT ORGANICALLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND ANY OWNED MEDIA CHANNELS, OR AS PAID ADVERTISING. WITHOUT THIS GRANT AND THE COORDINATED SOCIAL INFLUENCER CONTENT AND MARKETING IT WOULD PROVIDE, MOST SOUTHEASTERN STATES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD A SOCIAL INFLUENCER CAMPAIGN TO HELP ACCOMPLISH R3 FOR FURBEARER TRAPPING HUNTING. WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK CLICK-THROUGHS TO LANDING PAGE, LEARN-TO-HUNT AND STATE LICENSE SALES PAGES, AS WELL AS ENGAGEMENT RATES FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. EACH STATE WILL SUPPLY A WEB ADDRESS THAT DIRECTLY LINKS TO THEIR AGENCYS LEARN-TO-HUNT TRAP WEBPAGE, OR WE WILL USE THE DEFAULT CAMPAIGN LANDING PAGE WHICH WILL DIRECT PEOPLE TO TAKING THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TRAPPING COURSE. SEAFWA STATE AGENCIES ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY AND THE COMMUNICATIONS MARKETING STAFF MEMBERS ESPECIALLY THINK THIS WILL BE A GREAT PROJECT. WE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS WITH A FOCUS ON TRAPPING IN A MULTISTATE MARKETING GRANT AND WE THINK THIS COULD TRULY MAKE AN IMPACT.

GREATER SAGE-GROUSE RESPONSE TO WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AT A LANDSCAPE SCALE

COORD SURVEY FOR MUTIPLE AT-RISK SPECIES

IMPROVING THE CONSERVATION OF FISH AND WILDIFE POPULATIONS AND HABITATS DURING ENERGY EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND TRANSMISSION

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP, AFWA ANNUAL MEETING, OCEAN RESOURCES POLICY COMMITTEE

METHODS DEVELOPMENT: IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE IN TRAPPING PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES 2025-2026

THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (WAFWA)HAS MAINTAINED LONG STANDING, STATE-LEAD LANDSCAPE LEVEL CONSERVATION PRIORITIES THROUGH ITS INITIATIVES, COMMITTEES, AND ASSIGNED WORKING GROUPS. MUCH OF THIS WORK REQUIRES FREQUENT COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION AMONG MEMBER STATES AND BETWEEN VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES OF DOI AND USFWS AND NEARLY ALWAYS INCLUDES PARTICIPATION AMONG THE 5 REGIONAL FWS OFFICES AND AT TIMES NATIONAL FWS LEADERSHIP. GIVEN THE SUCCESS OF WAFWAS CURRENT EFFORTS AND A DESIRE FOR GREATER LANDSCAPE LEVEL COLLABORATION BETWEEN WAFWA STATES AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, WAFWA AND THE FWS JOINTLY SEEK TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL SUPPORT THESE SHARED GOALS WITHIN WAFWA AND ASSIST THE FWS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CREATE AN IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING OF LANDSCAPE PRIORITIES AMONG ALL FOUR REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. CURRENT WAFWA PRIORITIES ARE MULTIJURISDICTIONAL AND VARY FROM BIOME SPECIFIC PRIORITIES, PRINCIPLES OF LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY, AND SPECIES SPECIFIC INVENTORY, ASSESSMENT, AND RECOVERY EFFORTS. EXAMPLES OF PRIORITIES AND APPLICABLE WAFWA COMMITTEES ANDWORKSHOPS INCLUDE: BIOME: SAGE BRUSH, GRASSLANDS, RIPARIAN CORRIDORS, WATER RESILIENCE. LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY:MIGRATION CORRIDORS, FISH PASSAGE, AND IMPROVED HABITAT PERMEABILITY. SPECIES PLANNING: MONARCHS, BLACK FOOTEDFERRETS, WESTERN TROUT, DESERT FISH, WILD SHEEP, SAGE GROUSE, MULE DEER, FOREST CARNIVORES, AND COMMITTEES:ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, ANIMAL MOVEMENT AND MIGRATION, FISHERIES, NON-GAME, HABITAT, AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES WORKSHOPS: ESA, SAGE AND SHARP-TAILS, BLACK BEAR, MOUNTAIN LION, AND SWAP PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION. WAFWA RECOGNIZES THAT COORDINATED LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION IN THE REGION CONTINUES TO BE IMPERATIVE FOR MANY FISH AND WILDLIFE SPECIES THAT COMPLETE THEIR LIFE REQUIREMENTS IN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS THAT CROSS POLITICAL BOUNDARIES. WORKING AT THE LANDSCAPE SCALES REQUIRES BROADER STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACROSS MULTIPLE AGENCIES, LANDOWNERSHIPS, AND POTENTIALLY OPPOSING POLITICAL REALITIES. THE ASSIGNED WESTERN COORDINATOR AND ALL SUPPORTING ROLES WORK UNDER WAFWA LEADERSHIP AND WILL PROVIDE A CENTRAL POINT OF COMMUNICATION AS A LIAISON TO THE USFWS AND THE LARGER FISH AND WILDLIFE LANDSCAPE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, INCLUDING STATE, TRIBAL, FEDERAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERS.

THE FOLLOWING SCOPE OF WORK WILL BE OVERSEEN BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION INITIATIVES AND CARRIED OUT BY ONE PART-TIME CONTRACTOR. THEY WILL PROVIDE SCIENCE SUPPORT AND SERVICE AND BE THE POINT OF CONTACT ON FISH WILDLIFE HEALTH AND ONE HEALTH FOR STATE AND TERRITORIAL FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (STATES), PROVINCES, US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (FWS), OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND NONGOVERNMENTAL CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS BY 1) SERVING AS CONVEYORS FOR THE STATES, FWS, AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES TO INFORM, DISCUSS, AND DEVELOP ACTIONS ON PRIORITY FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH AND ONE HEALTH WORK 2) LEADING AND FACILITATING COMMUNICATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH AND ONE HEALTH BETWEEN THE STATES, THE FWS, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, NGOS 3) PROVIDING STAFFING TO KEY PARTNERSHIPS, COMMITTEES, AND WORK GROUPS TO ADVANCE COLLABORATION ON FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH AND ONE HEALTH 4) CONDUCTING PROJECT WORK THAT LEADS TO IMPROVEMENTS IN AND USE OF SCIENCE, TOOLS, AND POLICIES THAT AFFECT FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH.

METHODS DEVELOPMENT: IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE IN TRAPPING PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES 2024-2025

METHODS DEVELOPMENT: AFWA WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP, REFINE, AND PROMOTE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR FURBEARERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES FOR THEIR USE IN IMPROVING REGULATED ANIMAL TRAPPING CONSISTENT WITH PROFESSIONAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

METHODS DEVELOPMENT

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) TO PARTNER WITH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND COORDINATION ON ISSUES AND SUBJECTS WITHIN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. THE SUBJECTS BEING FOCUSED ON WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORK ARE FISH WILDLIFE HEALTH, CLIMATE CHANGE, AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION, INVASIVE SPECIES, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION, BAT CONSERVATION, BIRD CONSERVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION. AFWA WILL SUPPORT AND COORDINATE THIS WORK ON THESE ISSUES BETWEEN STATES, FWS, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PRIVATE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. EACH INITIATIVE INVOLVES STAFFING AND LEADING COMMITTEES TO FORMULATE PLANS OF ACTIONS ON THESE ISSUES AS WELL AS PROJECT-BASED WORK OVER THE LIFE CYCLE OF THIS AWARD. AFWA WILL USE STAFF S TIME AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM THE WORK DETAILED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS AGREEMENT. PLEASE REFER TO THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH PLAN OF ACTION SURROUNDING THIS AGREEMENT.

SOCIAL INFLUENCERS TO DRIVE R3 IN SEAFWA STATES

COORDINATION OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

COORDINATION AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION'S CONSERVATION EDUCATION STRATEGY

STATE FISH AND WILDIFE AGENCY COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION

THE PROPOSAL WILL FOCUS ON THREE PRIORITIES WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ENABLING STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO COORDINATE THEIR CONSERVATION EFFORTS ACROSS STATE BORDERS ON A REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SCALE:- PARTICIPATION BY SENIOR STATE AND ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY (ASSOCIATION OR AFWA) STAFF IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL MEETINGS WHERE PLANNING AND COORDINATION ARE PERFORMED WITH FEDERAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGO), AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS. THE FOCUS IS ON MEETINGS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REGIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, THE NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONFERENCE, THE AFWA ANNUAL MEETING, NGO MEETINGS, INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, AND OTHER EVENTS AND MEETINGS. STATE DIRECTORS AND THEIR DESIGNEES AND ASSOCIATION STAFF WILL ATTEND MAJOR INDUSTRY EVENTS TO MAINTAIN OPEN COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATE ON IMPORTANT AND OFTEN SENSITIVE ISSUES THAT DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES IMPORTANT TO THE ASSOCIATION S MEMBERS.- STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE STAFF WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND MAINTAINING A COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO EFFECTIVELY COORDINATE WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THEIR NGO AND FEDERAL PARTNERS ON REGIONAL AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE ISSUES.- REGIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION COORDINATION: PROVIDE PLANNING, COORDINATION, FACILITATION, AND SUPPORT TO THE AFWA U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION JOINT TASK FORCE.

WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE (WNTI) COORDINATION AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATIONOF CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

TO DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON THE ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED WILD VERTEBRATE SPECIES AND PROVIDE FOR INTERCHANGE OF SERVICES, PERSONNEL, EQUIP

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DETERMINE WHAT NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMS OWNERS KNOWAND THINK ABOUT PITTMAN ROBERTSON AND THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS IT FUNDS DEVELOP EFFECTIVE MESSAGES TO ENCOURAGETHEIR SUPPORT FOR PR AND THE WORK OF THE AGENCIES AND PUT THE RESEARCH INTO ACTION VIA A NEW DIGITALCOMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN IN TWO SOUTHEASTERN PILOT STATES. BECAUSE NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMSOWNERS MAY FEEL LESS CONNECTED TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ISSUES, THE PITTMAN ROBERTSON FUNDING STRUCTURE IS INDANGER OF BEING DISRUPTED. LEGISLATORS MAY ALSO ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS FUNDING GAPS BY REDIRECTING PR EXCISE TAXREVENUES FROM NON HUNTING SHOOTERS AND FIREARMS OWNERS TO PROGRAMS OTHER THAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.FOR THIS PROJECT, OUR TEAM WILL CONDUCT A PROBABILITY BASED MULTI MODAL SURVEY OF NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS ANDFIREARMS OWNERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THE SURVEY WILL ASSESS KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF THE FEDERALAID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE EXCISE TAX ON FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION AND THE PROGRAMSFUNDED THROUGH THESE REVENUES. FINDINGS FROM THIS RESEARCH WILL THEN INFORM A COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN IMPLEMENTED IN TENNESSEE AND TEXAS, TWO STATES WITH SIZABLE POPULATIONS OF FIREARMS OWNERS. THE CAMPAIGN WILLTARGET NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMS OWNERS WITH DATA BASED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO INCREASE THEIRKNOWLEDGE OF PITTMAN ROBERTSON AND HELP THEM DEVELOP A STRONGER CONNECTION TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, ESPECIALLYTHROUGH MESSAGES DETERMINED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE SURVEY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE ENCOMPASSING OF DISTINCTSUBGROUPS WITHIN THE OVERALL POPULATION OF NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMS OWNERS BASED ON DATA FROMTHE SURVEY. AS A RESULT OF THISPROJECT, NON HUNTERS WHOSE PURCHASES CONTRIBUTE TO PITTMAN ROBERTSON WILL BECOME STRONGER ADVOCATES FORWILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND STRONGER PROPONENTS OF THE CURRENT PITTMAN ROBERTSON EXCISE TAX FUNDING MECHANISM.OUR TEAM WILL PRODUCE A FINAL REPORT THAT DETAILS HOW TO INCREASE NON HUNTING PITTMAN ROBERTSON CONTRIBUTORS KNOWLEDGE OF AND SUPPORT FOR AMERICA S CONSERVATION FUNDING STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THROUGH RECOMMENDATIONSBASED ON THE INITIAL RESULTS OF THE PILOT COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN.OBJECTIVE 1 TITLE CONDUCT A NATIONAL SURVEY OF NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMS OWNERS,INCLUDING OVERSAMPLES IN TENNESSEE AND TEXAS. OBJECTIVE 2 TITLE DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PILOT COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TARGETING NON HUNTINGSPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMS OWNERS IN TENNESSEE AND TEXAS. OBJECTIVE 3 TITLE PRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE FINAL REPORT AND COMMUNICATE RESULTS TO ALL 50 STATE FISHAND WILDLIFE AGENCIES.THIS PROJECT WILL PRODUCE ACTIONABLE RESEARCH FINDINGS THAT DRIVE CONCRETE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMUNICATIONS ANDMARKETING THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE FURTHER INFORMED BY THE RESULTS OF A NEW COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNIMPLEMENTED IN TWO SOUTHEASTERN PILOT STATES. ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BE NEW INFORMATION THATSTATES CAN USE TO ENGAGE AN IMPORTANT AUDIENCE FOR R3, AS THE ATTITUDES OF NON HUNTING SPORT SHOOTERS AND FIREARMSOWNERS REGARDING THE PROGRAMS OF THE FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT HAVE NEVER BEEN EXPLORED ON THENATIONAL SCALE. THE PROJECT RESULTS WILL HELP TO SAFEGUARD STATE CONSERVATION FUNDING IN THE YEARS TO COME BYSTRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN NON HUNTING PITTMAN ROBERTSON CONTRIBUTORS AND THE WILDLIFE PROJECTS THEYHELP TO FUND. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROPOSED PROJECT INCLUDES A RESULTS DRIVEN CAMPAIGN COMPONENT, MEANING THE RESEARCHWILL IMMEDIATELY BE PUT INTO ACTION. THE OVERALL EFFECT WILL BE TO SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE THE RELEVANCY OF STATE FISH ANDWILDLIFE AGENCIES AMONG A BROADER SEGMENT OF THE PUBLIC. PROJECT FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS WILL BE SHARED AT NATIONALAND REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND IN INDUSTRY NEWSLETTERS AND PUBLICATIONS.

THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD. THIS POSITION SUPPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES WILL PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS AND THE OVERALL NFHP PROGRAM, AS WELL AS PROVIDE SCIENCE AND DATA SUPPORT FOR NFHP, TRAVEL AND MEETING SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, BOARD STAFF, AND SCIENCE AND DATA MANAGERS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATION IN ASSOCIATED NFHP MEETINGS.

THIS INITIATIVE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, MIDWEST ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, COUNCIL TO ADVANCE HUNTING AND THE SHOOTING SPORTS, DJ CASE AND ASSOCIATES, SOUTHWICK ASSOCIATES, AND PARTICIPATING STATES.HOW DO NEW AND BEGINNER HUNTERS USE SOCIAL MEDIA IN THEIR HUNTING JOURNEYS? DOES USAGE AMONG NOVICE HUNTERS VARY BY PLATFORM? SHOULD STATE WILDLIFE AGENCY RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION SPECIALISTS SEEK OUT AND ENGAGE WITH NOVICE HUNTERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND IF SO, HOW? HOW CAN STATES AND PARTNERS ENGAGE WITH SPECIFIC HUNTER SEGMENTS TO MAXIMIZE OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT? WITHOUT ANSWERS, THE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION COMMUNITY CAN ONLY GUESS HOW TO MARKET TO POTENTIAL NEW HUNTERS, AND THE IMPACTS OF THESE PLATFORMS ON HUNTER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ARE NOT WELL KNOWN.THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO COMPREHENSIVELY UNDERSTAND HOW NOVICE HUNTERS UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR LEARNING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT, PROVIDING CRUCIAL INSIGHTS FOR ENHANCING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS. NOVICE HUNTERS SOCIAL MEDIA BEHAVIORS CAN HELP FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES CREATE TARGETED OUTREACH PROGRAMS, ALLOCATE RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY, AND IMPROVE RECRUITMENT OUTCOMES. THIS PROJECT WILL EMPLOY A MULTIFACETED APPROACH, COMBINING REGIONAL FOCUS GROUPS, SOCIAL LISTENING TECHNIQUES, AND A SURVEY OF NEW LICENSEES TO ANALYZE THE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND PERSONAL INTERACTIONS WITH THEM.THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE PROVIDING VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE SOCIAL MEDIA HABITS OF NOVICE HUNTERS. BY UNDERSTANDING WHICH PLATFORMS AND CONTENT ENGAGE THEM MOST EFFECTIVELY AND ENABLING AGENCIES TO EFFECTIVELY ALLOCATE LIMITED MARKETING BUDGETS AND OPTIMIZE SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES. DELIVERABLES FROM THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL LISTENING INVENTORY, DETERMINING HOW NOVICE HUNTERS USE THESE PLATFORMS, A DETAILED REPORT ON REGIONAL FOCUS GROUPS, AND SURVEY FINDINGS FOR OPTIMIZING THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR NOVICE HUNTERS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN AND MIDWEST REGIONS. KEY TOPICS AND TERMS WILL BE IDENTIFIED FOR BUILDING THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE, AND A REPORT SUMMARIZING KEY FINDINGS WILL BE PRODUCED.TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND RECRUIT PARTICIPANTS, THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO RECRUIT NEW AND BEGINNER HUNTERS TO BE THE BEST POSSIBLE STEWARDS OF THE LIMITED FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION. WITHOUT FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT, RECRUITING AND RETAINING NEW PARTICIPANTS IN HUNTING THROUGH ONLINE PLATFORMS WILL BE LIMITED WITHOUT KNOWING MORE SPECIFICS OF HOW TO REACH THIS SPECIFIC TARGET AUDIENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

COORDINATION OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM COORDINATION

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE CHARGED WITH MANAGING WILDLIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC BUT MANY FEDERAL AGENCIES ALSO SHARE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES ACROSS STATE BOUNDARIES AND ENGAGE IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS. IN ADDITION, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) DEDICATED TO SPECIES AND HABITAT CONSERVATION OPERATE AT REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELSOFTEN IN COORDINATION WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS. WITHOUT STRONG, STRATEGIC COORDINATION AMONG ALL PARTIES, THE FULL BENEFITS OF THESE VARIED EFFORTS CANNOT BE REALIZED. SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION ACROSS NORTH AMERICA REQUIRES DEDICATED RESOURCES TO BRING STATE AGENCY LEADERS TO THE TABLE AND ENSURE THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD. MANY STATE AGENCIES ARE ALREADY STRETCHED THIN, WITH LIMITED RESOURCES FOCUSED ON INTERNAL, STATE-SPECIFIC PRIORITIES. WITHOUT EXTERNAL SUPPORT, THEY OFTEN LACK THE CAPACITY TO PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY IN BROADER, MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL EFFORTS. FOR EXAMPLE, DECISIONS MADE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL BODIES SUCH AS THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) AND THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN) CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE AUTHORITY AND OPERATIONS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. WHILE U.S. FEDERAL AGENCIES, FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, AND NGOS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THESE FORUMS, STATE AGENCIES FREQUENTLY LACK THE TIME AND FUNDING NEEDED TO ENGAGE EFFECTIVELY. PARTICIPATION IN CITES IS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL DUE TO ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS. THE TRADE OF FURBEARERS SUPPORTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS AND GENERATES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN TAX REVENUE AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. ENSURING A COORDINATED AND INFORMED STATE AGENCY PRESENCE IN INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION DISCUSSIONS IS ESSENTIAL. TO MEET THIS NEED, THE CITES TECHNICAL WORK GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1994 BY THE STATES. IN PARALLEL, DEDICATED RESOURCES ARE ALSO NEEDED TO FOSTER, MAINTAIN, AND EXPAND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STATE AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY. HUNTING- AND ANGLING-SUPPORTIVE INDUSTRIES CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIAL EXCISE TAX REVENUE UNDER THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACTSFUNDING THAT FORMS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF STATE AGENCY BUDGETS. IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH INDUSTRY REDUCES MISUNDERSTANDING AND PROMOTES COLLABORATION AT EVENTS AND CONFERENCES WHERE NGOS AND INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES CONVENE. EFFECTIVE COORDINATION ALSO RELIES ON STRONG CENTRALIZED COMMUNICATION. ACCESSIBLE PLATFORMS ENSURE THAT KEY ISSUES ARE IDENTIFIED, AND THAT STATE AGENCIES AND THEIR PARTNERS CAN COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL CHALLENGES. CURRENTLY, THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) WEBSITELAUNCHED IN 2018IS OUTDATED AND ONLY PARTIALLY MEETS SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE. A REDESIGNED WEBSITE WILL ENSURE MOBILE OPTIMIZATION, PRIORITY ACCESSIBILITY LEVEL AA 508 COMPLIANCE, AND IMPROVED SEARCH ENGINE VISIBILITY (SEO), ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY FOR AFWA MEMBERS AND PARTNERS AND SUPPORTING BROADER COORDINATION EFFORTS. OUTCOMES OF THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE INCREASED STATE PARTICIPATION IN CRITICAL INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CONSERVATION FORUMS, IMPROVED COLLABORATION BETWEEN AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS, AND A MODERNIZED COMMUNICATION PLATFORM TO SUPPORT COORDINATION ACROSS JURISDICTIONS. TOGETHER, THESE INVESTMENTS WILL AMPLIFY THE STATES VOICE IN CONSERVATION POLICY AND STRENGTHEN THE LONG-TERM CAPACITY OF AGENCIES TO MANAGE WILDLIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP (SARP) IS PROPOSING TO EXPAND OUR EXISTING INVENTORY AND PRIORITIZATION OF AQUATIC BARRIERS INTO AN ADDITIONAL 13 STATES TO PROVIDE COVERAGE OF ALL 50 STATES PLUS PUERTO RICO. THIS WILL FACILITATE A TRULY NATIONAL SNAPSHOT OF THE EXTENT OF AQUATIC HABITAT FRAGMENTATION AND WILL IDENTIFY WHICH OF THESE BARRIERS MAY HAVE THE GREATEST BENEFIT FOR FEDERALLY LISTED AT-RISK, STATE GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED, AND RECREATIONAL AQUATIC SPECIES. ADDITIONAL STATES COVERED WILL INCLUDE MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, WEST VIRGINIA, AND HAWAII. THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL DATABASE THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO EXPLORE LOCATIONS OF BARRIERS, PRIORITIZE POTENTIALLY HIGH PRIORITY BARRIERS, AND MODELING TO ULTIMATELY GUIDE FISH PASSAGE RESTORATION AND INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY TO BOTH NATIVE AND THREATENED AND ENDANGERED AQUATIC POPULATIONS. TO REACH THIS GOAL, THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. 1) PROVIDE THE BEST AVAILABLE LOCATIONAL AND DESCRIPTIVE BARRIER DATA, 2) PROVIDE TOOLS FOR PRIORITIZATION OF BARRIERS THAT HAVE GROUND-VERIFIED INFORMATION, 3) PROVIDE A USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACES FOR PARTNERS TO UTILIZE FOR VIEWING, SUMMARIZING, PRIORITIZATION AND INCORPORATING LOCAL INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC BARRIERS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE COOPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES IN DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED

SPONSORSHIP OF AFWA ANNUAL MEETING AND SPONSORSHIP OF THE OCEAN POLICY COMMITTEE

DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED WILD VERTEBRATE SPECIES.

DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED WILD VERTEBRATE SPECIES.

RESTORING AQUATIC HABITAT CONNECTIVITY IN TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA

FIREARMS FUNDAMENTALS COURSE PROMOTION THROUGH SEAFWA STATES

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: L24AS00140FUNDING OPPORTUNITY GOALS: GOALS1. IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION THAT ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH RESTORATION LANDSCAPES, AND ADDRESS HABITAT LAND HEALTH STANDARDS, AND IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY SUPPORTING WILDLIFE MIGRATION SUCH AS BIG GAME, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS. 2. PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT COLLABORATIONS WITH STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO ADDRESS DATA GAPS, IMPLEMENT COORDINATED LANDSCAPE OR REGIONAL MONITORING TO INFORM POPULATIONS STATUS AND TREND TIED TO PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTERED BY BLM. 3. SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT WILL ASSIST BLM WITH USING EXISTING ASSESSMENTS OR DATA TO UNDERSTAND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON LANDSCAPE OR PRIORITY ECOSYSTEMS IMPORTANT TO ACHIEVING SHORT- AND LONG-TERM HABITAT OBJECTIVES, FOR EXAMPLE WATER AVAILABILITY DURING EXTENDED DROUGHTS, OR NEW OR EMERGING IMPACTS FOR INVASIVE SPECIES.THIS PROPOSED PROJECT SEEKS TO COORDINATE WORK BETWEEN STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND THE BUREAUOF LAND MANAGEMENT ON GOLDEN EAGLE MONITORING AND THEIR CONSERVATION RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGYSITING AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST. WE PROPOSE TO CONDUCT A NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFEAGENCIES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND EXISTING GOLDEN EAGLE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS, DATAAVAILABILITY, DATA LIMITATIONS, AND DATA CONCERNS, AND TO DETERMINE HOW THESE DATA ARE OR CAN BE BETTERINTEGRATED INTO RENEWABLE ENERGY SITING CONSULTATIONS. DATA FROM THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT WILL BE EVALUATEDBY A TASK TEAM MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR WESTERN STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, THE BUREAU OFLAND MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AS APPROPRIATE TODEVELOP ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO GOLDEN EAGLE DATA COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT. ASEPARATE TASK TEAM WILL BE FORMED WITH STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN COORDINATORS TO PROVIDE A FORUM FORDISCUSSION AND TO DEVELOP VOLUNTARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON BETTER INCORPORATING RENEWABLE ENERGYCONSIDERATION INTO STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLANS, MOST OF WHICH WILL BE UPDATED AND REVISED BY OCTOBER2025. LASTLY, THIS PROJECT WILL STRIVE TO BETTER COORDINATE AND BUILD STRONGER COLLABORATION BETWEEN THEASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, AND STATE FISH AND WILDLIFEAGENCIES ON GOLDEN EAGLE CONSERVATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY SITING, AND FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MOREBROADLY. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE FIRST MONITORING AND RENEWABLE ENERGY NEEDSASSESSMENT OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING PROTOCOL AND STANDARDSTECHNICAL DOCUMENT, A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DATABASE NEEDS, CHALLENGES, A ROADMAP FOR FUTUREDATABASE DEVELOPMENT, VOLUNTARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLANS, COMMUNICATION OFPROJECT-RELATED FINDING AND PRODUCTS TO STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY LEADERS AND PRACTITIONERS THROUGHCUSTOMIZED WEBINARS, E-NEWSLETTERS, EMAILS, COMMITTEES AND BY OTHER MEANS. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OFTHIS PROJECT INCLUDE BIRD CONSERVATION PRACTITIONERS AND STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN COORDINATORS, BUREAU OFLAND MANAGEMENT LEADERS AND STAFF, AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES SUCH AS THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE,US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, AND PRIVATE NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE RENEWABLE ENERGY WILDLIFEINSTITUTE.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE COOPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES IN DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED

SCIENCE COORDINATION TEAM

UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OF ROAD RELATED BARRIERS ON DIFFERENT SPECIES GUILDS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR CAPTURE OF FURBEARERS, ANIMALS P

CONSERVING FISH HABITAT COLLABORATIVELY IN THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP

NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: MEETING THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2010.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TRAP PERFORMANCE IN OPERATIONAL USE AND CONTRIBUTE TO ONGOING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES D

TO DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED WILD VERTEBRATE SPECIES AND PROVIDE FOR INTERCHANGE OF SERVICES, PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT

SCAPPS: SCIENC COORDINATION 2015

IMPROVING AQUATIC HABITATS THROUGH FACILITATED COLLABORATIONS AND ACTIONABLE SCIENCE

EFFECTIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT REQUIRES MEANINGFUL INTERACTION WITH ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY, NOT JUST THE PEOPLE WHO BUY HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES. STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES MISSION STATEMENTS OFTEN REFLECT THEIR BROAD RESPONSIBILITIES ON BEHALF OF ALL RESIDENTS HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT SEGMENTS OF THE PUBLIC MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THEM AT ALL, MUCH LESS THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS PROVIDED. CONSIDERING MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY FUNDING IS SHARED EQUALLY BETWEEN LICENSE SALES AND GENERAL TAX DOLLARS (MANFREDO ET AL., 2018), THERE IS CONSIDERABLE ROOM TO IMPROVE STATES AGENCIES INTERACTIONS WITH THE BROADER PUBLIC. SIMILARLY, STATE AGENCIES HAVE A LIMITED UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEY ARE PERCEIVED BY THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY NONTRADITIONAL STAKEHOLDERS. TOGETHER, THESE ISSUES HINDER STATES ABILITIES TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE AND ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO DELIVER PROGRAMS RELEVANT TO THE DIVERSE RANGE OF COMMUNITIES SERVED. THIS PROJECT WILL HELP STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC S AWARENESS OF THEIR CORE FUNCTIONS, PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS, AND VIEWS ABOUT AGENCIES MISSIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, FUNDING STRUCTURES, LEGAL LIMITS, AND MORE. THE RESULTS WILL ENABLE STATES TO BETTER ENGAGE WITH THEIR MANY DIVERSE PUBLICS. UP TO 12 SEAFWA STATES WILL BE ENGAGED TO IDENTIFY THEIR PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, ALONG WITH THEIR CURRENT MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES. FOR EACH STATE, TWO ONLINE SURVEYS WILL THEN BE DEVELOPED TO CAPTURE THE OPINIONS AND PERCEPTIONS OF 1) RESIDENTS NOT ENGAGED IN TRADITIONAL STATE MANAGED ACTIVITIES (FISHING, HUNTING, BOATING AND SIMILAR), AND 2) RESIDENTS WHO IDENTIFY AS TRADITIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES. WE WILL TARGET UP TO 1,000 RESPONSES FROM NONTRADITIONAL STAKEHOLDERS TO GATHER INSIGHTS FOR UNIQUE GEOGRAPHIC, DEMOGRAPHIC, AND SOCIO CULTURAL AUDIENCES, AND ANOTHER 1,000 RESPONSES FROM TRADITIONAL AUDIENCES. WE WILL ALSO REACH OUT TO THE THREE OTHER AFWA REGIONS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STATES TO PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN COST TO RECEIVE STATE SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND OPINIONS. PROJECT METHODOLOGY, RESULTS, AND INSIGHTS GAINED WILL BE SHARED WITH THE OTHER REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS FOR REPLICATION.

SUPPORT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PRAIRIE CONSERVATION STRATEGY; ORAL BAIT PLAGUE VACCINE FOR PRAIRIE DOG PROTECTION

SCIENCE COORDINATION AND RESEARCH

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE COOPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES IN DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ANIMAL TRAPS FOR SELECTED

THIS PROJECT AIMS TO BOOST ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR STATE-REGULATED TRAPPING AMONG THE PUBLIC AND WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS THROUGH A DYNAMIC EDUCATIONAL VIDEO, MULTIPLE VIDEO SHORTS, AND SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS.EDUCATIONAL VIDEO:THE PRIMARY VIDEO WILL REPLACE THE OUTDATED ONE CURRENTLY USED IN TRAPPING MATTERS WORKSHOPS. THE OLD VIDEO, WHILE IMPACTFUL OVER THE PAST 25 PLUS YEARS, HAS LOST CREDIBILITY DUE TO ITS POOR QUALITY AND DATED FASHION. THE NEW VIDEO WILL COMBINE LIVE PERSON ON THE STREET INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS WITH WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC TO EXPLORE PERCEPTIONS OF TRAPPING. IT WILL ALSO DEMONSTRATE KEY MESSAGES, DEVELOPED THROUGH YEARS OF RESEARCH, TO ADDRESS PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS. THIS VIDEO AIMS TO EDUCATE AGENCY STAFF DURING WORKSHOPS AND OTHER VENUES ABOUT REGULATED TRAPPING AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CURATED MESSAGES IN GAINING UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT.MEDIA SHORTS:THESE SHORTER VIDEOS WILL TARGET MULTIPLE AUDIENCES, INCLUDING DECISION-MAKERS, LEGISLATORS, POLICY MAKERS, COMMISSIONS, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION WRITERS, TO IMPROVE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF TRAPPING. CONTENT WILL FOCUS ON KEY MESSAGES ABOUT TRAPPING THAT ADDRESS PUBLIC CONCERNS, USING AGENCY STAFF FOR CREDIBILITY. FOR EXAMPLE, VIDEOS WILL FEATURE WILDLIFE VETERINARIANS DISCUSSING ANIMAL WELFARE, WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EXPLAINING REGULATIONS, AND RESEARCHERS EMPHASIZING THE ABUNDANCE OF TRAPPED SPECIES AND THE BENEFITS OF TRAPPING. AGENCIES HAVE EXPRESSED A NEED FOR THESE VIDEOS, AND THIS PROJECT AIMS TO FULFILL THAT NEED.RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION (R3) EFFORT:ADDITIONAL MEDIA SHORTS WILL TARGET RECRUITING HUNTERS, ANGLERS, AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN TRAPPING, SUCH AS WOMEN AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL, BASED ON FINDINGS FROM A RECENT MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT. THESE SHORTS WILL BE USED BY STATE WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO EDUCATE THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND WILL BE SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS (E.G., YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK) TO PROMOTE REGULATED TRAPPINGS ROLE IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.TRAPPING MATTERS WORKSHOPS:THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES HAS CONDUCTED TRAPPING MATTERS WORKSHOPS SINCE 2003 AND WILD FUR SCHOOLS SINCE 2010, TRAINING OVER 7,000 WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS. THESE PROGRAMS CONSISTENTLY RECEIVE HIGH MARKS FROM PARTICIPANTS, WITH OVER 98% INDICATING THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT TRAPPING AND CAN COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY ABOUT THE ACTIVITY AFTER PARTICIPATING. THE GOAL IS TO CONTINUE THESE WORKSHOPS TO EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS ON TRAPPING MOTIVATIONS, EQUIPMENT, TECHNIQUES, AND RESEARCH, AS WELL AS PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND KEY MESSAGES.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:THE VIDEOS AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE USED IN VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SETTINGS TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF AGENCY STAFF TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY ABOUT TRAPPING. THIS WILL PREPARE THEM FOR CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRAPPING, HELPING TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SUPPORT AND APPROVAL FOR REGULATED TRAPPING ACTIVITIES AND AGENCY AUTHORITY TO MANAGE WILDLIFE WITH TRAPPING.

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM & NATIONAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD. THIS POSITION SUPPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES WILL PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS AND THE OVERALL NFHP PROGRAM, AS WELL AS PROVIDE SCIENCE AND DATA SUPPORT FOR NFHP, TRAVEL AND MEETING SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD, BOARD STAFF, AND SCIENCE AND DATA MANAGERS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATION IN ASSOCIATED NFHP MEETINGS.PURPOSE OF PROJECT: THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE NFHP PROGRAM, USFWS, AND AFWA IN MEETING OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICAS CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT ACT WHICH CODIFIED THE NFHP PROGRAM IN 2020.

*AWD_INBOUND_EXT_STORAGE*

IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE IN TRAPPING PROGRAMS IN THE UNITEDTATES

WNTI STRATEGIC PORTFOLIO HABITAT RESTORATION INITIATIVE

AFWA SCIENCE COORDINATION

AFWA LIAISON

SCAPP: SCIENCE COORDINATION

AFWA, THROUGH ITS FURBEARER CONSERVATION TECHNICAL WORK GROU, WILL CONDUCT AND MANAGE BMP DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES FOR THEIR USE IN MAINTAINING REGULA

THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES WAFWA IN ASSOCIATION WITH ITS WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE WNTI SEEKS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT FOR ASSESSMENT, PROJECTS DATABASE, AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER ENTITIES, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION, INCREASED AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF NATIVE TROUT HABITAT CONSERVATION, AND TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION PROTECTION, RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF HABITAT FOR 21 FOCAL SPECIES ACROSS 12 WESTERN U S STATES AS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP, WNTI PROVIDES A VARIETY OF COORDINATION AND FACILITATION SERVICES TO OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS OTHER NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGERS AND INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT 12 WESTERN U S STATES EFFORTS SINCE 2006 HAVE LED TO FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS THAT PROVIDE A GREATER LEVEL OF INFORMATION SHARING AND IMPROVED COLLABORATION WITHIN THE REGION THIS AGREEMENT WILL ENABLE WNTI TO IMPLEMENT ELEMENTS OF THE WNTI STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN IN 12 WESTERN U S STATES WNTI SEEKS TO ADVANCE THE EFFORTS OF STATE, FEDERAL, AND PRIVATE PARTNERS WHO SHARE A VISION OF CONSERVING AND PROTECTING AQUATIC HABITATS IN RIVERS, STREAMS, LAKES, AND RESERVOIRS THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN UNITED STATES WNTI IS A PROGRAM UNDER WAFWA, AND WAFWA PROVIDES THE FISCAL SPONSORSHIP TO THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON THE DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY PROJECTS AS WELL AS PROVIDING SCIENCE AND DATA EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT IS THE BASIS FOR THIS FUNDING REQUEST SPECIFICALLY, THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR UPDATING 12 SPECIES STATUS REPORTS AND INCORPORATING OTHER ASSESSMENT TOOLS INTO OUR EXISTING WEBSITE AND STRATEGIC DOCUMENTATION ANALYSIS AND UPGRADE OF A PROJECTS DATABASE FOR BETTER FUNCTIONALITY AND SPECIES, PUBLIC, AND STAKEHOLDER BENEFIT UPDATING OF SPECIES, LOCATION, AND RECREATIONAL ACCESS INFORMATION FOR BLM PUBLIC LANDS INCLUDED IN THE WESTERN NATIVE TROUT CHALLENGE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT IN ASSISTING IN THE REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2025 NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP NFHP NATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER ASSESSMENT PRODUCTS TO FILL DATA GAPS, AS REQUIRED BY THE AMERICA S CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT ACT ACE ACT LEGISLATION

COORDINATION OF THE INDUSTRY, FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCY COALITION

THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE TWO PRIMARY OBJECTIVES, EACH OF WHICH IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES WITH THEIR REGULATED TRAPPING AND FURBEARER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.FIRST, THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) WILL CONTRACT WITH RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT TO CONDUCT A NATIONAL SURVEY OF TRAPPERS. THE SURVEY WILL GATHER INFORMATION ON:1) CHARACTERISTICS (DEMOGRAPHICS, ECONOMICS, MOTIVATIONS) OF THE PUBLIC WHO PARTICIPATE IN TRAPPING,2) TRAP TYPES BEING USED FOR THE CAPTURE OF VARIOUS FURBEARER SPECIES,3) TRAPPER KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR TRAPPING, AND4) THE NUMBER OF TRAPPERS IN THE U.S.INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS SURVEY WILL BE USED TO GUIDE THE NATIONAL PROGRAM TO DEVELOP BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP) FOR TRAPPING SO AFWA CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OUR MEMBER AGENCIES WITH TRAP TYPE TECHNIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MOST HUMANE, SAFE, SELECTIVE, EFFECTIVE, AND PRACTICAL TRAPS TO USE FOR THE CAPTURE OF FURBEARERS. AGENCIES USE TRAPPING TO ACHIEVE MANY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES, AND ALL AGENCIES WANT TO ENSURE THE BEST TRAPS ARE BEING USED. AFWA NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT TRAP TYPES ARE CURRENTLY IN USE, SO WE CAN SCIENTIFICALLY EVALUATE THOSE DEVICES AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION STANDARDS. SINCE 1997 THE BMP PROGRAM HAS TESTED OVER 725 TRAP TYPES ON 23 SPECIES OF FURBEARERS, CONDUCTED OVER 500 INDIVIDUAL FIELD PROJECTS TO CAPTURE FURBEARERS ACROSS 41 STATES, AND CONDUCTED NECROPSIES ON OVER 10,000 ANIMALS TO HELP EVALUATE THE HUMANNESS OF TRAPS. WE RECENTLY PUBLISHED SOME OF THESE RESULTS IN WILDLIFE MONOGRAPHS. BUT AFWA NEEDS THE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE COLLECTED IN THIS SURVEY TO MAINTAIN THE BMP PROGRAM S CUTTING-EDGE RELEVANCE AND SUPPORT AGENCIES DESIRE TO RECOMMEND THE MOST HUMANE SAFE SELECTIVE TRAPS FOR TRAPPERS TO USE.

CONSERVATION COLLABORATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PLAN IN THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES IN THE SARP WORK AREA. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT IS HIGH VALUE AQUATIC HABITAT IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES THAT IS DETERMINED BY PARTNER AGENCIES INCLUDING USFWS, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATE AGENCIES, NGOS AND CORPORATIONS. THIS PROJECT HAS TWO MAJOR SUB PROJECTS. 1)ENHANCEMENT OF STREAMBANK AND RIPARIAN HABITATS FOR NATIVE BLACK BASS PROTECTION IN THE UPPER CHATTAHOOCHEE AND LAKE LANIER WATERSHED AND 2) IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN IN THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES. SUB PROJECT 1 WILL FOCUS ON WORKING WITH AGRICULTURAL LANDOWNERS IN THE UPPDER CHATTAHOOCHEE WATERSHED IN GA TO IMPLEMENT BMPS ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS. THIS WILL IMPROVE PHYSICAL HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY FOR SHOAL BASS AND OTHER PRIORITY SPECIES AS WELL AS IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN LANE LANIER. SUB PROJECT 2 WILL SUPPORT THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY AREAS THAT WILL DIRECT RESOURCE ALLOCATION SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP (NFHP) AS WELL AS THE OPERATIONAL TRANSITIONS TO ALIGN WITH THE RECENTLY PASSED AMERICA S CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT (ACE) ACT INCLUDING THE REVISION OF THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC HABITAT PLAN AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES AS MANY OF THESE WERE PUBLISHED OVER 10 YEARS AGO. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE CRITICAL TO ALIGNING TO THE ACE ACT AND REMAINING A DESIGNATED FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP AS WELL AS A COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA). THESE ACTIVITIES WILL ALLOW SARP TO STRATEGICALLY ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO AREAS THAT ARE ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT AS WELL AS SOCIALLY IMPORTANT WITH THE NECESSARY CAPACITY TO BENEFIT HABITATS AND THE SPECIES THAT DEPEND ON THEM IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS. THIS PROJECT WILL PRIMARILY FOCUS ON INCREASING THE LEVEL OF ROBUSTNESS AND ABILITY TO TRACK ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SARP AND THE WORK OF OUR PARTNERS THROUGH SUPPORTED COLLABORATIONS. THREE MAIN AREAS OF RE ALIGNMENT AND INCREASED ENGAGEMENT WILL CENTER AROUND THE DESIGNATION OF CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY AREAS, THE REVISION AND UPDATE OF THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC HABITAT PLAN, AND THE OVERALL OVERSIGHT AND OPERATIONS AS THE LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBE ARE CRITICAL TO STRATEGICALLY ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO BENEFIT SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS.

THE DINGELL JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT (16 U.S.C. 777 ET SEQ.) AND THE PITTMAN ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT (16 U.S.C. 669 ET SEQ.), AS AMENDED BY THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000 (PUB. L. 106 408, 114 STAT. 1766 113 AND 114 STAT. 1722 122) AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO MAKE UP TO 6,000,000 AVAILABLE ANNUALLY UNDER THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM (WSFR) TO FUND MULTISTATE CONSERVATION PROJECT GRANTS. IN ADDITION TO THE TRADITIONALLY 6,000,000 AVAILABLE FUNDING ( 3,000,000 FOR WILDLIFE RESTORATION AND 3,000,000 FOR SPORTFISH RESTORATION), THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN ROBERTSON FUND FOR TOMORROW S NEEDS ACT (MODERNIZING PR ACT) (PUBLIC LAW (PUB. L.) 116 94) INTOLAW ON DECEMBER 20, 2019. THIS LAW, AMONG OTHER MEASURES, CREATED A NEW MODERN MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT R3 PROJECTS FOR HUNTING AND SHOOTING SPORTS. THE M MSCGP WILL MAKE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 5,000,000 AVAILABLE FOR THE HUNTER AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTER RECRUITMENT RELATED GRANTS, INCLUDING RELATED COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. THESE ACTS DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS FOR THE ASSOCIATION S USE IN ADMINISTERING AND IMPLEMENTING ITS SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS GRANT PROGRAM. IN 2022 THE ASSOCIATION WAS AWARDED A ONE YEAR MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT THAT CURRENTLY SUPPORTS THROUGH DECEMBER 2022 THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM MANAGER. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO CONTINUE MEETING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION AS REQUIRED UNDER THE FEDERAL AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION FOR ADMINISTERING AND COORDINATING THE MSCGP. HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON PROGRAM EVALUATION AND THE COMMUNICATION OF PROGRAM RESULTS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL ALSO REMAIN A PRIORITY, AND THE MSCGP MANAGER WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND PERTINENT GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING. AS A PROGRAM MANAGER FACILITATOR, THE MSCGP MANAGER WILL WORK TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITSTO THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE GRANT CYCLE AND THE GRANT PROPOSAL SELECTION PROCESS.THE MSCGP MANAGER MANAGES THE ACTIVITIES THAT IMPLEMENT THE GRANT PROGRAM. THIS PROJECT WOULD PROVIDE CONTINUED PROGRAM MANAGER FUNDING AND SUPPORT THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

COORDINATION OF THE INDUSTRY, FEDERAL, AND STATE AGENCY COALITION

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO SURVEY ROAD STREAM CROSSINGS IN FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES HABITAT TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE ACTING AS BARRIERS TO FISH PASSAGE. THIS PROJECT WILL SEEK TO SURVEY 1000 CULVERTS IN THE RANGE OF THE SLACKWATER DARTER IN TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA. WE SEEK TO SURVEY AN ADDITIONAL 400 CULVERTS IN SIX 12-DIGIT HYDROLOGIC UNITS (HUC12S) IN THE NEUSE AND TAR RIVERS BASINS IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE RESULTS FROM THESE SURVEYS WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP S (SARP) ON-LINE DATABASE AND PRIORITIZATION TOOL. THE RESULTS OF THESE SURVEYS WILL INFORM CULVERT REMEDIATION REPLACEMENT ACTIONS TO AID IN THE RECOVERY OF THESE SPECIES.

INCREASING LEGAL SUPPORT FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MODEL OF CONSERVATION: EDUCATING THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.

WOLVERINE METAPOPULATION MONITORING AND CONNECTIVITY IN THE U.S. ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND NORTH CASCADES

THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT AND DINGELL-JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT, AS AMENDED BY THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000, AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO MAKE UP TO USD $6,000,000 AVAILABLE ANNUALLY TO FUND MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT (MSCG) PROJECTS. THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (SERVICE) CITES THIS TRADITIONAL PORTION OF THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM (MSCGP) AS TRADITIONAL MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANTS (T-MSCG). IN ADDITION, THE MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN ROBERTSON FUND FOR TOMORROW NEEDS ACT AMENDED THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT TO, AMONG OTHER MEASURES, AUTHORIZE THE SERVICE TO MAKE HUNTER RECRUITMENT AND RECREATIONAL TARGET SHOOTER RECRUITMENT GRANTS THAT PROMOTE A NATIONAL HUNTING AND SHOOTING SPORTS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM INCLUDING RELATED COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. THE SERVICE WILL CITE THIS PORTION OF THE MSCGP AS RECRUITMENT RETENTION REACTIVATION AS R3-MSCG. UP TO USD $5,000,000 WILL BE AVAILABLE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE R3-MSCG PROJECTS.THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (ASSOCIATION) AND THE SERVICE WORK COOPERATIVELY TO MANAGE T-MSCG AND R3-MSCG. THE ASSOCIATION SETS THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDES THE SERVICE WITH A LIST OF RECOMMENDED PROJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARDS. THE SERVICE ADMINISTERS THE PROGRAM AND MANAGES THE AWARDS.IN 2024, THE ASSOCIATION WAS AWARDED A ONE-YEAR MSCG SUPPORTING THE MSCG PROGRAM MANAGER THROUGH DECEMBER 2024. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO CONTINUE MEETING THE ASSOCIATION RESPONSIBILITIES AS REQUIRED UNDER THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION OF THE MSCGP. THESE ACTS DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS FOR THE ASSOCIATION USE IN ADMINISTERING AND IMPLEMENTING ITS SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS GRANT PROGRAM.AS A PROGRAM MANAGER THE MSCGP MANAGER WILL MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS TO THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE GRANT CYCLE AND PROPOSAL SELECTION PROCESS. ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON PROGRAM EVALUATION COMMUNICATION OF PROGRAM RESULTS AND OUTREACH BY DEVELOPING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND UNDERSERVED.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL ALSO REMAIN A PRIORITY AND THE MSCGP MANAGER WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND PERTINENT GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING.THE MSCGP MANAGER MANAGES THE ACTIVITIES THAT IMPLEMENT THE GRANT PROGRAM. THIS PROJECT WOULD PROVIDE CONTINUED PROGRAM MANAGER FUNDING AND SUPPORT THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE MSCGP.

IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE IN TRAPPING PROGRAMS IN THE UNITEDTATES

COORDINATION

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ARE CHARGED WITH MANAGING WILDLIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. NUMEROUS FEDERAL AGENCIES SHARE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS STATE BOUNDARIES. NONPROFIT ORGANZIATIONS (NGO S) DEDICATED TO CONSERVING SPECIFIC SPECIES AND LANDSCAPES ACT ON A REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL IN COOPERATION AND COORDINATION WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES. IT IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO RECOGNIZE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THESE VARIED EFFORTS BY ENGAGING IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL COORDINATION. COORDINATING SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION EFFORTS AMONG ALL INVOLVED PARTIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA REQUIRES THE RESOURCES TO BRING STATE AGENCY LEADERS TO THE TABLE. MANY STATE AGENCIES COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN THESE EFFORTS WITHOUT EXTERNAL FUNDING SUPPORT. THIS FUNDING IS NECESSARY FOR DEDICATED RESOURCES TO FOSTER, MAINTAIN, AND GROW RELATIONS BETWEEN STATE AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY. THE LATTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCISE TAX CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PITTMAN ROBERTSON RESTORATION ACT AND THE DINGELL JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT, WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORS. WHEN STATE AGENCIES AND INDUSTRIES ARE NOT ACTIVELY MEETING AND COORDINATING, THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND DYSFUNCTIONS CENTRALIZED COMMUNICATIONS TO ALL THESE PARTIES ARE HIGHLY VALUED TO ENSURE THAT RELEVANT ISSUES ARE BROUGHT TO LIGHT.FURTHERMORE, STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND THEIR PARTNERS CAN DEBATE AND DISCUSS THE BEST SOLUTIONS TO CROSS JURISDICTIONAL, NATIONAL, AND NATIONAL, REGIONAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ISSUES. THE PROPOSAL WILL FOCUS ON THREE PRIORITIES PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL FORUMS WHERE PLANNING AND COORDINATION ARE PERFORMED WITH FEDERAL, NGO, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS. SUPPORT IS INCLUDED FOR STATE AGENCY DIRECTORS AND SENIOR ASSOCIATION STAFF FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO ATTENDING MEETINGS EITHER REMOTELY (REGISTRATIONS) AND OR IN PERSON PARTICIPATION (REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL EXPENSES) TO MEETINGS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REGIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS THE NORTH AMERICAN THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) ANNUAL MEETING NGOS MEETINGS INDUSTRY MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS AND MEETINGS. STATE DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATION STAFF WILL ATTEND MAJOR INDUSTRY EVENTS TO MAINTAIN OPEN COMMUNICATIONS AND TO COORDINATE ON IMPORTANT AND OFTEN SENSITIVE ISSUES THAT CAN DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES IMPORTANT TO THE ASSOCIATION S MEMBERS.STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. AFWA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND MAINTAINING A COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO COORDINATE WITH EACH OTHER EFFECTIVELY AND THEIR NGO AND FEDERAL PARTNERS ON REGIONAL AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE ISSUES. FUNDING FOR 2 SPRINT CHALLENGES, AN AWARD WINNING APPROACH TO DECISION MAKING DEVELOPED BY JAKE KNAPP THAT FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO EMERGING CHALLENGES QUICKLY AND COST EFFECTIVELY.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT: ANALYSIS OF SFR AND WR PROGRAMS

COORDINATION OF NATIONAL SCALE CONSERVATION EFFORTS BY STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCIES: TRAVEL, INDUSTRY AGENCY, AND COMMUNICATIONS.

MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM COORDINATOR

COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

AWFA'S 2013 LEGAL STRATEGIC PLAN

MANY CURRENT R3 (RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, REACTIVATION) AND HUNTER EDUCATION EFFORTS INCORPORATE THE FIVE STAGES OR PHASES THAT DESCRIBE HUNTER EVOLUTION AND THEIR LIFETIMES AS PARTICIPANTS IN THE SPORT. HOWEVER, THESE PHASES ARE BASED ON A SINGLE STUDY PUBLISHED 38 YEARS AGO (JACKSON ET AL, 1984) THAT FOCUSED ON MALE WISCONSIN DUCK HUNTERS. HUNTING HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL, PARTICIPATORY, AND COMMUNICATIONS SHIFTS SINCE 1984, AND TODAY THESE PHASES ARE LIKELY QUITE DIFFERENT FOR WOMEN AND OTHER CRITICAL DEMOGRAPHICS, AS WELL AS OTHER TYPES OF HUNTING. ADDITIONALLY, LITTLE IF ANY INFORMATION EXISTS REGARDING THE EVOLUTIONARY STAGES OF TARGET SHOOTERS. BASING TODAYS R3 EFFORTS ON THE EXPERIENCES OF LOCALIZED DUCK HUNTERS NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO IS LIKELY A FLAWED STRATEGY. LED BY SUBJECT EXPERTS, THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE A FRESH LOOK TO IDENTIFY HOW TODAYS HUNTERS AND TARGET SHOOTERS MOVE THROUGH THESE STAGES THROUGHOUT THEIR SPORTING LIFETIMES. RESULTS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A NATIONAL CROSS SECTION OF HUNTERS AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTERS, WITH BREAKOUTS FOR WOMEN AND OTHER AUDIENCES, FROM ENTRY LEVEL TO EXPERIENCED PARTICIPANTS AND ALL STAGES IN BETWEEN. BUILDING ON RECENT NSSF SOUTHWICK RESEARCH, STATISTICAL CONSUMER SEGMENTATION TECHNIQUES WILL BE EMPLOYED TO SCIENTIFICALLY SEPARATE HUNTERS AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTERS INTO LIFETIME PHASES BASED ON PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCE, MOTIVATIONS, AND PREFERENCES. RESULTS WILL BE PRESENTED VIA A GRAPHICS BASED SUMMARY REPORT, PLUS A DETAILED TECHNICAL REPORT THAT WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR PEER REVIEW AND PUBLISHING. DISTRIBUTION WILL INCLUDE LIVE AND ON DEMAND WEBINARS, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL R3 COMMITTEE AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS, AND POSTING TO THE R3 CLEARINGHOUSE FOR UNLIMITED FUTURE ACCESS.

COORDINATION OF THE INDUSTRY, FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCY COALITION

HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICTS (HWCS) ARE INCREASING ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. STATE WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SWA) ARE ENTRUSTED WITH MANAGING MANY OF THE WILDLIFE SPECIES IMPLICATED IN HWCS. BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH TO HWC MANAGEMENT, IT IS CRITICAL FOR AGENCIES TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT ALLEVIATE CONFLICT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. STATE AGENCIES ALSO HAVE DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES, POLICIES, LEVELS OF SPECIES PROTECTION, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, UNIQUE WAYS OF FUNDING AND MANAGING WILDLIFE THE STRATEGIES THEY IMPLEMENT TO MITIGATE HWCS ALSO DIFFER. GIVEN INCREASED DEMANDS ON A FINITE POOL OF FUNDING, THE INCREASES IN HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICTS FREQUENTLY REQUIRE WILDLIFE MANAGERS TO DIVERT OR COMPETE FOR FUNDS NEEDED FOR OTHER HIGHER PRIORITY CONSERVATION NEEDS. IN ESSENCE, THE HWC PROGRAMS HAVE LARGELY BECOME AN UNFUNDED MANDATE, HINDERING STATES ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSIONS. ULTIMATELY, THERE IS A NEED TO WORK WITH CONFLICT MANAGERS TO CONSOLIDATE INFORMATION INTO A SINGLE SOURCE.THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT WORKING GROUP AND REGIONAL ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES LIKE THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (WAFWA) HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT COMMITTEE WERE FORMED, IN PART, TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. UNDER THIS GRANT, AFWA WILL WORK WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS TO EXPAND INITIAL WAFWA HWC STATE INQUIRIES TO GAIN A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF HWC MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN ALL 50 STATES. WE WILL ANALYZE INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH STANDARDIZED SURVEYS OF AGENCY PROFESSIONALS AND PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE OF HWC BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, POLICIES, AND FUNDING STRATEGIES THAT AFWA STATES CAN USE TO GUIDE HWC MANAGEMENT DECISIONS. WE WILL PREPARE AND PUBLISH A REPORT, PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATION, AND PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTING HWC AUTHORITIES AND OBLIGATIONS PER STATE (I.E.,STAFFING AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS). THIS REPORT WILL CONSOLIDATE INFORMATION INTO A SINGLE SOURCE AND CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF STATES TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE HWCS WHILE CONTROLLING COSTS. IN ADDITION, THIS INFORMATION WILL ALSO PROVIDE SWA WITH STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE STAKEHOLDER KNOWLEDGE AND THE PUBLIC S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR WORK TO MANAGE HWCS AND IMPROVE HUMAN WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS.

THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM (MSCGP), AUTHORIZED UNDER THE DINGELL-JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT AND THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT, PROVIDES UP TO $11 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CONSERVATION PRIORITIES BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUAL STATES. THIS INCLUDES $6 MILLION FOR TRADITIONAL MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANTS (T-MSCG) THAT SUPPORT FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND HABITAT INITIATIVES, AND $5 MILLION FOR R3 MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANTS (R3-MSCG) FOCUSED ON RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION (R3) OF HUNTERS AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTERS. THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS), COORDINATES AND MANAGES THE PROGRAM BY SETTING STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, FACILITATING PROPOSAL REVIEW, AND RECOMMENDING PROJECTS FOR FUNDING. ADDITIONALLY, THIS POSITION HELPS SUPPORT THE TENETS OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ENTITLED IMPROVING OVERSIGHT OF FEDERAL GRANTMAKING BY STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT AND COORDINATION OF, AND STREAMLINING, AGENCY GRANTMAKING AND ENSURING GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. IN 2025, AFWA RECEIVED A ONE-YEAR GRANT TO SUPPORT THE MSCGP PROGRAM MANAGER. THIS PROPOSAL SEEKS TO CONTINUE THAT SUPPORT, ENSURING EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION, TRANSPARENCY, AND ALIGNMENT OF THE PROGRAM WITH STATE AGENCIES AND PARTNER PRIORITIES. THE PROJECT WILL STRENGTHEN THE MSCGP THROUGH THREE CORE OBJECTIVES: (1) ENHANCE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS BY FINALIZING AND ADOPTING UPDATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND APPLICANT GUIDANCE (2) COORDINATE THE COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE 2026 PRIORITY LIST OF PROPOSALS, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND (3) EXPAND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE MSCGP AMONG STATE AGENCIES, PARTNERS, AND APPLICANTS. KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE UPDATING PROPOSAL GUIDELINES AND THE AFWA APPLICATION PORTAL, PROVIDING TRAINING FOR APPLICANTS AND TECHNICAL REVIEW TEAMS, FACILITATING TRANSPARENT AND TIMELY PROPOSAL REVIEWS, AND COORDINATING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AFWA, THE USFWS OFFICE OF CONSERVATION INVESTMENT, TECHNICAL REVIEW TEAMS, THE NATIONAL GRANTS COMMITTEE, AND APPLICANTS. OUTREACH WILL BE ADVANCED THROUGH REGIONAL MEETINGS, NATIONAL CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SOCIAL MEDIA, NEWSLETTERS, PRESS RELEASES, THE MSCGP WEBSITE, AND THE PUBLICATION OF THE 2026 MSCGP ANNUAL REPORT. EXPECTED RESULTS INCLUDE A STREAMLINED APPLICATION PROCESS, IMPROVED REVIEW AND DECISION-MAKING PROCEDURES, AND THE TIMELY SUBMISSION OF A TRANSPARENT AND WELL-SUPPORTED PRIORITY LIST OF PROPOSALS FOR USFWS APPROVAL. APPROXIMATELY $11 MILLION IN ANNUAL FUNDING WILL BE DIRECTED TO MULTISTATE PROJECTS THAT CONSERVE WILDLIFE AND FISH RESOURCES, EXPAND BOATING ACCESS, ADVANCE AQUATIC EDUCATION AND R3 INITIATIVES, AND SUPPORT HUNTER AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTER RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH. DELIVERABLES INCLUDE UPDATED MSCGP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, FINALIZED 2027 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, THE 2027 PRIORITY LIST OF PROPOSALS, THE 2026 MSCGP ANNUAL REPORT, AND TRAINING FOR BOTH APPLICANTS AND REVIEWERS. THE PROGRAM WILL BE MONITORED THROUGH PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK, APPLICATION QUALITY, REVIEW TEAM PERFORMANCE, AND ENGAGEMENT METRICS ACROSS TRAINING, OUTREACH, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS. EVALUATION FINDINGS WILL INFORM CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS, ENSURING THE MSCGP REMAINS TRANSPARENT, EFFICIENT, AND RESPONSIVE TO STATE AGENCY AND PARTNER NEEDS WHILE MAXIMIZING CONSERVATION IMPACT ACROSS THE NATION.

EXPANSION AND COORDINATION OF STATE AGENCIES' FISH AND WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATION INITIATION PROGRAMS

FUNDING FOR FISH HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS AND PROMOTION OF CONSERVATION SUCCESS IS WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT AND BEYOND THE SCOPE OF ANY SINGLE AGENCY ORGANIZATION TO ADDRESS ADEQUATELY. CONSEQUENTLY, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ARE CRITICAL TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTORING AQUATIC HABITATS, IMPROVING THEIR ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION, AND EXPANDING THEIR ECONOMIC BENEFITS. LEVERAGING PARTNER FUNDS TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS IS CRITICAL FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP (NFHP) TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION TO PROTECT, RESTORE AND ENHANCE FISH HABITAT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. TO BEST MEET OUR MISSION, NFHP MUST COMMUNICATE OUR GOALS AND CONSERVATION SUCCESS AT BOTH A NATIONWIDE AND PARTNERSHIP SCALE. HAVING STANDARDIZED MESSAGING AND MODERN COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS AVAILABLE TO OUR PARTNERSHIPS, INCLUDING UPDATED WEBSITES, IS ESSENTIAL FOR NFHP TO ADDRESS ITS CONSERVATION PRIORITIES AND FULFILL THEREQUIREMENTS WITHIN TITLE II OF AMERICAS CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT ACT (PL 116 188) (ACE ACT), WHICH CODIFIED NFHP IN 2020. WITH LIMITED RESOURCES PROVIDED TO NFHP THROUGH THE ACE ACT ANNUALLY, PROMOTION OF OUR PROJECT SUCCESSES AND COMMUNICATING OUR UNMET NEEDS IS KEY TO LEVERAGING FUNDING AND IN KIND SUPPORT TO MAXIMIZE OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS.

EXPANDING THE COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP CONSERVATION EFFORTS

SEAFWA GREEN SALAMANDER FY15 COMP SWG

THE DISTRIBUTION OF CUTTHROAT TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS CLARKII) RANGES INCLUDES 12 WESTERN STATES FROM NEW MEXICO TO ALASKA. THIS DIVERSE SPECIES INCLUDES 14 RECOGNIZED SUB-SPECIES, TWO OF WHICH ARE NOW EXTINCT, THREE OTHERS ARE LISTED AS ESA-THREATENED, AND EACH OF THE REMAINING NINE IS NAMED AS EITHER A CANDIDATE FOR ESA-LISTING, OR A STATE OR FEDERAL SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN BECAUSE OF LOW OR DECLINING NUMBERS (TROTTER ET AL. 2018). THIS PROJECT AIMS TO IMPROVE COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION TOOLS FOR MULTIPLE STATES FOR BOTH WESTSLOPE AND YELLOWSTONE CUTTHROAT TROUT, TWO SUB-SPECIES THAT ARE OF CONCERN BUT ARE NOT CURRENTLY LISTED UNDER THE ESA.NEW DATABASE PLATFORMS ARE NEEDED TO STORE RANGEWIDE DATA AND DEVELOP RANGEWIDE STATUS ASSESSMENTS. CURRENT RANGEWIDE STATUS ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTS FORM THE BASIS OF PLANNING CONSERVATION ACTIONS, WHICH ARE COORDINATED ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES WITHIN THE SPECIES RANGE. THESE STATUS ASSESSMENTS ARE OFTEN THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE ON SPECIES DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS, WHICH IS CRITICAL IN REVIEWING ANY POTENTIAL PETITIONS FOR LISTING UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. UNFORTUNATELY, SEVERAL OF THE STATUS ASSESSMENTS FOR THESE SUB-SPECIES ARE GROSSLY OUT OF DATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PLATFORMS THAT STORE RANGEWIDE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE INFORMATION RELY ON CUMBERSOME AND OUTDATED LOCAL DATABASES, MAKING STATUS UPDATES CUMBERSOME AND LIMITING THE ABILITY TO SHARE DATA BETWEEN CONSERVATION PARTNERS. POLICY AND DECISION MAKING FOR MANAGING SPECIES AT RANGEWIDE OR POPULATION SCALES REQUIRE ACCESS TO FISH DISTRIBUTIONS, ABUNDANCE, GENETIC, AND HABITAT DATA. MIGRATING THE WESTSLOPE AND YELLOWSTONE CUTTHROAT TROUT DATABASES FROM THEIR CURRENT, LOCALIZED MICROSOFT ACCESS DATABASES TO WEB-BASED MODERN PLATFORMS WILL GREATLY IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE SPECIES STATUS ASSESSMENTS AND THE CONSERVATION PLANS BASED UPON THEM. WEB-BASED APPLICATIONS WITH INTEGRATED GIS CAPABILITIES CAN QUICKLY DISPLAY SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS, BARRIERS, AND RESTORATION ACTIONS, ALLOWING MULTIPLE USERS TO EASILY ACCESS DATA FOR PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS. DATA CAN THEN BE EASILY UPDATED, ACCESSIBLE, AND SHAREABLE FOR OTHER MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH NEEDS, IMPROVING OUR ABILITY FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AMONG PARTNERS. THESE PLATFORMS COULD EXPEDITE RANGEWIDE SUMMARIES ACROSS MULTIPLE PARTNER AGENCIES IN SEVERAL STATES AND PRESENT A WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT DATABASE SYSTEMS.IN THE ABSENCE OF FEDERAL FUNDING SUPPORT, STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES MANAGING THE MULTIPLE RANGEWIDE CUTTHROAT TROUT DATABASES HAVE STRUGGLED TO UPGRADE THEM TO MODERN PLATFORMS. FUNDING FOR DATABASE INFRASTRUCTURE SHARED AMONG MULTIPLE STATES IS DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE, WHILE A MULTI-STATE GRANT IS PERFECTLY SUITED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS.

ADMIN AND OPERATIO OF WNTI

COORDINATION OF THE INDUSTRY, FEDERAL, AND STATE AGENCY COALITION

WOLVERINE META-POPULATION MONITORING AND CONNECTIVITY IN US ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND NORTH CASCADES.

PROJECT WILD (PW) IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM FOCUSING ON WILDLIFE AND HABITAT. SINCE 1983, THE PROGRAM HAS DELIVERED HIGH-QUALITY, WELL-TESTED CONSERVATION EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC BY EQUIPPING AND TRAINING TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATORS. OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS, OVER 1.5 MILLION EDUCATORS HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN PR ACTIVITIES, REACHING OVER 100 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM - WHICH WAS COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOPED BY STATE WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES - IS TO DEVELOP AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND COMMITMENT RESULTING IN INFORMED DECISIONS, RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR, AND CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIONS CONCERNING WILDLIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.THIS PROPOSAL OUTLINES OUR REQUEST TO CREATE THREE PROJECT WILD ONLINE COURSES FOR FORMAL AND NON-FORMAL EDUCATORS, BASED ON NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. SPECIFICALLY, STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY EDUCATORS AND BIOLOGISTS WILL BE ASKED ABOUT WILDLIFE STUDY FINDINGS OR MANAGEMENT EFFORTS THAT ARE FUNDED UNDER THE WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT AND WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL OR NATIONAL SCALE EDUCATION RESOURCES TO HELP ESTABLISH FOUNDATIONAL AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THESE ISSUES AMONG EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN PROJECT WILD. PW HAS BEEN A RESPECTED NAME AMONG EDUCATORS AND WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS ALIKE. EDUCATORS CONSISTENTLY RATE PW TRAINING AND MATERIALS AS ENGAGING, RELEVANT AND USEFUL. IN A TIME WHEN STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES FOCUS ON THE RELEVANCY OF CONSERVATION TO THE PUBLIC, THE PW PROGRAM REPRESENTS A VALUABLE TOOL TO REACH YOUNG PEOPLE IN DIVERSE SETTINGS, CONNECT THEM TO THE OUTDOORS, AND INSTILL SOUND CONSERVATION CONCEPTS.WHILE THE CONTENT OF PW CURRICULA AND ACTIVITY GUIDES REMAINS MUCH SOUGHT AFTER, THE DELIVERY METHOD HAS BECOME A BARRIER TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF TODAY S EDUCATORS. EDUCATORS HAVE ATTENDED A ONE-DAY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR DECADES TO RECEIVE A PRINTED COPY OF THE PW GUIDE, EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES FROM THE GUIDE, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION IN THEIR STATE. IN RECENT YEARS, VARIOUS FACTORS HAVE CAUSED NATIONAL TRAINING NUMBERS TO DECLINE, INCLUDING INDUSTRY CHANGES IN EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND BOOK PRINTING AND INCREASING DEMAND FOR ONLINE LEARNING AND RESOURCES EXACERBATED BY THE COVI-19 PANDEMIC.IN 2019, PW PILOTED ITS FIRST ONLINE COURSE AND HAS SINCE DEVELOPED FIVE ADDITIONAL COURSES WITH THE SUPPORT OF OTHER GRANTS. SIMILARLY, IN 2022 PW STARTED PUBLISHING A NEW WILDLIFE EDUCATION UNIT. CLIMATE WILDLIFE IS A 64-PAGE MODULE THAT PROVIDES MIDDLE AND HIGH-SCHOOL-LEVEL EDUCATORS WITH A COLLECTION OF PW LESSONS CREATED FOR THE NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY.THIS 2024 MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROJECT WILL ALLOW PW TO BUILD ON THIS MOMENTUM WITH AN ADDITIONAL THREE COURSES AND THREE THEMATIC WILDLIFE EDUCATION UNITS USING EXISTING PW ACTIVITIES. ONLINE PW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING ALLOWS EDUCATORS TO ACCESS MODULES AT THEIR OWN PACE WITHOUT WAITING FOR A TRAINING EVENT AT A CONVENIENT TIME AND LOCATION. BEYOND THE ONLINE TRAINING, THE EDUCATION UNITS WILL KEEP PRINTING COSTS LOW SO THAT PRICE IS NOT A BARRIER TO OUR PARTNERS. THESE ADDITIONS TO THE PW SUITE OF OFFERINGS WILL ALLOW THE PROGRAM -AND MESSAGES OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES- TO STAY RELEVANT TO EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

2022 MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM COORDINATION

MSCGP COORDINATION

THE GRANTEE REPRESENTS THE CONSENSUS INTERESTS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION NEEDS ARE PROPERLY INCORPORATED INTO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. IN 2023, THESE USDA FUNDS PROVIDED $1.77 BILLION FOR THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP), PROTECTING 1.8 MILLION ACRES OF LAND BY TAKING MARGINAL CROPLAND OUT OF PRODUCTION AND 2.4 MILLION ACRES INTO GRASSLAND CONSERVATION. IN ADDITION TO THIS BREAD AND BUTTER PROGRAM FOR MOST WILDLIFE AGENCIES, THE NRCS SPENT NEARLY $5 BILLION DOLLARS ON CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THE SAME YEAR. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS IN CONSERVATION THROUGH THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2023 ALSO PROVIDED STATE AGENCIES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE THESE FUNDS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE.ROUGHLY 70% OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES (CONUS) LAND BASE IS PRIVATELY OWNED, SO FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS TARGETING THESE LANDS HAVE BROAD-REACHING EFFECTS ON FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES HELP THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) DELIVER THESE PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PARTICIPATING IN STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES AND LOCAL WORKING GROUPS, AND WORKING WITHIN USDA OFFICES TO EASE ADMINISTRATIVE WORKLOADS. THE CURRENT FARM BILL PASSED IN DECEMBER 2018 AND IS SET TO EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2024. WHILE THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE FARM BILLREAUTHORIZED BY THIS DATE, THE REALITY IS THAT PASSAGE WILL LIKELY OCCUR LATE IN 2024, OR IN 2025. THE NEW FARM BILL WILL BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INPUT AND COLLABORATION AS THE USDA FINALIZES RULES AND IMPLEMENTS PROGRAMMATIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.STATE AGENCIES MUST PROACTIVELY WORK WITH US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) TO PROPERLY INCORPORATE THE NEEDS OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND THEIR HABITATS INTO RULES, POLICIES, STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKS, AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES. STATE AGENCIES EFFECTIVENESS IN THIS REGARD RELIES IN PART ON THEIR ABILITY TO SHARE INFORMATION AMONG THEMSELVES AND TO ADDRESS USDA WITH A UNIFIED VOICE. THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ACROSS ALL REGIONS TO PROVIDE INPUT DURING THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS OF THESE USDA PROGRAMS AND FEEDBACK ON HOW PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND ROLLOUT OF THE CONTINUED FARM BILL IS FUNCTIONING IN EACH STATE, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ACTIONS. THE GRANT WILL ALSO FACILITATE COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION WITH CONSERVATION PARTNERS WHO SHARE AFWAS AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION GOALS. THE GRANTEE WILL FACILITATE WORKING GROUPS UNDER THE BROADER AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (ACC) THAT REPRESENT EACH FARM BILL PROGRAM IMPACTING WILDLIFE TO ENSURE STATE MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF UPDATED POLICIES AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS, ENSURING THAT THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE USED AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. THOSE WORKING GROUPS INCLUDE THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP) CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP), FARM BILL EASEMENTS, FORESTRY, PUBLIC ACCESS, REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP), AND PRIVATE LANDS WORKING GROUPS.

FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND OTHER ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (AFWA) MEMBERS NEED TO COLLABORATE, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, AND DEVELOPCAPACITY AS IT RELATES TO SHARED PRIORITIES. AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFWA STRATEGICPLAN, AFWA MEMBERS EXPRESSED THE VALUE OF AFWA BEING THE CONVENER OF PLAYBOOKS AND BESTPRACTICES TO AID ALL MEMBERS IN COLLABORATING MORE EFFECTIVELY AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND LESSONSLEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THAT VISION AND TO CREATE AN AFWAKNOWLEDGE HUB THAT WILL PROVIDE AN ENHANCED COMMUNICATION PLATFORM FOR ALL GOALS IN THE AFWASTRATEGIC PLAN, INCLUDING SCIENCE, DEI, AND R3 AND WILL BE DEVELOPED IN SUCH A MANNER TO SUPPORTEXPANSION AS NEEDS EMERGE IN OUT YEARS. THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROJECT, AFWA WILL HELPTO BUILD CAPACITY WITH ALL MEMBERS AND SUPPORT AFWA IN DELIVERING ON ITS STRATEGIC PLAN.AFWA HAS DEVELOPED AN INITIAL CONCEPT, INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGNS, FOR THE WEB BASED AFWAKNOWLEDGE HUB. THIS CONCEPT WILL ALLOW ALL FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO ACCESS A WEB INTERFACEEMBEDDED WITH PLAYBOOKS THAT ARE CASE STUDIES AND BEST PRACTICES THAT CAN BE SHARED AMONGAGENCIES. THE PROPOSED SOLUTION WILL HAVE CAPABILITIES THAT PRIORITIZE INTUITIVE DATA SHARING,ORGANIZATION OF DATA, SEAMLESS COLLABORATION, AND A CLEAN DESIGN FOR NON TECHNICAL USERS.ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTENT ON THE HUB WILL BE EASY TO UPDATE AND REQUIRE NO CODE DEPLOYMENTS ORDEDICATED TECHNICAL STAFF.IT IS ENVISIONED THAT EACH PLAYBOOK WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO AID IN ADOPTION BYOTHER MEMBERS. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL CREATE A SIMPLE AND DIGESTIBLE TEMPLATE THAT WILL INCLUDE THEWHY, WHAT, WHO, HOW, WHEN, HOW MUCH, AND OUTCOMES FOR EACH CASE STUDY BEST PRACTICE PLAYBOOK. WEALSO ENVISION THE HUB LINKING OUT TO FULL DOCUMENTS FOR EACH STATE OR REGION WHERE APPLICABLE(E.G., R3 PLANS, REGIONAL LANDSCAPE SCAPE IMPLEMENTATION CUMENTS, ETC.).

THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP SARP IS PROPOSING TO WORK TO EXPAND OUR EXISTING DATABASE OF AQUATIC BARRIER INVENTORY AND PRIORITIZATION INTO THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE S MIDWEST REGION USFWS REGION 3 ESTIMATED AT OVER 150,000 POTENTIAL SITES, THE COMPLETION OF THIS DATABASE WILL BE THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO REFLECT THE LEVEL OF AQUATIC HABITAT FRAGMENTATION IN THIS NEW REGION AND CAN IDENTIFY WHICH OF THESE BARRIERS MAY HAVE THE GREATEST BENEFIT FOR LISTED, AT RISK AND RECREATIONAL SPECIES STATES COVERED WILL INCLUDE MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN, INDIANA, ILLINOIS AND OHIO IOWA WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS LARGER EXPANSION YET MUCH OF THE INITIAL DATABASE ACQUISITION IN IOWA HAS ALREADY BEEN STARTED THROUGH ANOTHER RELATED BY SEPARATE EFFORT COORDINATION WILL BE CONDUCTED AMONG STATES, US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND OTHER AGENCIES AS WELL AS TROUT UNLIMITED AND OTHER NONPROFITS WHO MAY HAVE DATA TO CONTRIBUTE AS WELL AS ASSIST IN DISSEMINATION OF PROJECT RESULTS BARRIERS THAT WILL BE ASSESSED INCLUDE DAMS AND ROAD RELATED BARRIERS SUCH AS CULVERTS A PRIORITIZATION SCHEME WILL BE DEVELOPED TO ALLOW MANAGERS TO QUICKLY RANK BARRIERS BASED ON VARIOUS CRITERIA

THE DINGELL-JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT (16 U.S.C. 777 ET SEQ.) AND THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT (16 U.S.C. 669 ET SEQ.), AS AMENDED BY THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000 (PUB. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 113 AND 114 STAT. 1722 122) AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO MAKE UP TO 6,000,000 AVAILABLE ANNUALLY UNDER THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM (WSFR) TO FUND MULTISTATE CONSERVATION PROJECT GRANTS. IN ADDITION TO THE TRADITIONALLY 6,000,000 AVAILABLE FUNDING ( 3,000,000 FOR WILDLIFE RESTORATION AND 3,000,000 FOR SPORTFISH RESTORATION), THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FUND FOR TOMORROW S NEEDS ACT (MODERNIZING PR ACT) (PUBLIC LAW (PUB. L.) 116-94) INTO LAW ON DECEMBER 20, 2019. THIS LAW, AMONG OTHER MEASURES, CREATED A NEW MODERN MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM (M-MSCGP) TO SUPPORT R3 (RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, REACTIVATION) PROJECTS FOR HUNTING AND SHOOTING SPORTS.THE M-MSCGP MAKES UP AN ADDITIONAL 5,000,000 AVAILABLE FOR THE HUNTER AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTER RECRUITMENT-RELATED GRANTS, INCLUDING RELATED COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.IN 2023 THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (ASSOCIATION) WAS AWARDED A ONE-YEAR MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT THAT CURRENTLY SUPPORTS THROUGH DECEMBER 2023, THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM MANAGER. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO CONTINUE MEETING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION AS REQUIRED UNDER THE FEDERAL AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION FOR ADMINISTERING AND COORDINATING THE MSCGP. THESE ACTS DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS FOR THE ASSOCIATION S USE IN ADMINISTERING AND IMPLEMENTING ITS SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS GRANT PROGRAM.AS A PROGRAM MANAGER FACILITATOR, THE MSCGP MANAGER WILL MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS TO THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE GRANT CYCLE AND PROPOSAL SELECTION PROCESS. HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON PROGRAM EVALUATION, COMMUNICATION OF PROGRAM RESULTS, AND OUTREACH BY DEVELOPING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND OR UNDERSERVED TO ACHIEVE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL OUTCOMES. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL ALSO REMAIN A PRIORITY, AND THE MSCGP MANAGER WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND PERTINENT GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING.THE MSCGP MANAGER MANAGES THE ACTIVITIES THAT IMPLEMENT THE GRANT PROGRAM. THIS PROJECT WOULD PROVIDE CONTINUED PROGRAM MANAGER FUNDING AND SUPPORT THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

THE FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING BOTH AMERICA FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND THE WORK OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. THIS PROJECT, LED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA) THROUGH ITS AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (ACC) AND WORKING GROUPS, WILL PROVIDE THAT ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION. DEDICATED STAFF SUPPORT WILL ENSURE TIMELY INFORMATION SHARING THROUGH MONTHLY NEWS UPDATES, WEEKLY BRIEFINGS, AND PARTICIPATION IN AFWA COMMUNICATIONS. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO SUPPORT BI-ANNUAL ACC MEETINGS AND PROVIDE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR STATE STAFF TO ATTEND KEY MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND FARM BILL WORKSHOPS - OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE FINANCIALLY OUT OF REACH BUT VITAL FOR SHARING EXPERTISE AND STRENGTHENING PROGRAM DELIVERY. BY SUPPORTING WORKING GROUPS FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC FARM BILL PROGRAMS, THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE SPACE FOR STATES TO SHARE SOLUTIONS, TROUBLESHOOT CHALLENGES, AND ELEVATE LANDOWNERS PERSPECTIVES THAT IMPROVE PROGRAM OUTCOMES. AFWA WILL COMPILE AND DELIVER SCIENCE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) AND CONSERVATION PARTNERS ENSURING THAT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NEEDS ARE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO AGRICULTURE POLICIES. EXPECTED RESULTS INCLUDE STRONGER COLLABORATION AMONG STATES, INCREASED AWARENESS OF FARM BILL OPPORTUNITIES, MORE EFFECTIVE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, AND EXPANDED ACCESS TO HUNTING AND FISHING. ULTIMATELY, THIS PROJECT WILL HELP ENSURE FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO DELIVER LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR LANDOWNERS, RURAL COMMUNITIES, BIRD, MAMMALS, SPORT FISH AND THE PUBLIC.

OORDINATION OF THE INDUSTRY, FEDERAL AND STATE COALITION

COORDINATION OF THE INDUSTRY, FEDERAL AND STATE COALITION

BOTH THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP (SARP) AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY COLLABORATIVE (NAACC) MAINTAIN DATABASES TO DOCUMENT ANTHROPOGENIC BARRIERS IN STREAMS. WE PROPOSE TO UPGRADE THE NAACC DATABASE AND EXTEND ITS GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE TO COVER 16 STATES AND TERRITORIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. COVERED BY SARP (ONE SARP STATE, VIRGINIA, IS ALREADY COVERED BY THE NAACC) WITH POTENTIAL TO INCLUDE OTHER REGIONS OF THE U.S. OVER TIME. SARP IS ALREADY WORKING WITH STATES IN THE MIDWEST, INTERMOUNTAIN WEST, AND GREAT LAKES REGIONS. THE NAACC CENTRAL COORDINATORS BASED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST, ARE INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSAL AS SUBRECIPIENTS THEIR ROLE WILL BE TO OVERSEE THE UPGRADE AND EXPANSION OF THE NAACC DATABASE. THIS NEW DATABASE WILL BE MAINTAINED BY SARP AND WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A MORE STREAMLINED AND UNIFIED PROCESS FOR COLLECTING FIELD DATA, PRIORITIZE SITES FOR RESTORATION, AND ULTIMATELY RECONNECT MORE MILES OF AQUATIC HABITAT FOR SPORT FISH AND NON-GAME AQUATIC SPECIES ACROSS THE STATES AND TERRITORIES OF BOTH THE SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND THE NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, AS WELL AS THE NATION AS A WHOLE.

DECISIONS MADE IN INTERNATIONAL FORA, SUCH AS THE CONVENTIONON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FLORA AND FAUNA (CITES), CAN POSITIVELYAND NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OR PRACTICES OF STATE, PROVINCIAL, AND TERRITORIALFISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT REALISTIC NOR ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FOR ALL STATE FISHAND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (STATES) TO PARTICIPATE IN CITES, THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OFNATURE (IUCN), OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL FORA. AT THE SAME TIME, U.S. FEDERAL AGENCIES, FOREIGNGOVERNMENTS, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) ARE AT THE TABLE AND HAVE INPUT IN DECISIONS. THEREFORE IN 1994, THE CITESTECHNICAL WORK GROUP (WORK GROUP) WAS CREATED. IT INCLUDES A MEMBER FROM EACH STATE REGIONALASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA). THE WORK GROUP HAS BEEN HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE STATE S (AND WHEREAPPROPRIATE CANADIAN PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES) ABILITY TO MANAGE AND CONSERVE WILDLIFE, AND ININFLUENCING DECISIONS THROUGH SCIENCE BASED POSITIONS THAT ENCOURAGE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OFWILDLIFE. IN THE ABSENCE OF THE WORK GROUP, THE STATES DO NOT HAVE A VOICE IN DECISIONS NOR CANTHEY BRING SCIENCE BASED, ON THE GROUND EXPERTISE TO HELP GUIDE DECISIONS. CONSIDERING THE CURRENTPANDEMIC AND THE SPOTLIGHT IT HAS PUT ON FISH AND WILDLIFE USE AND CONSUMPTION, HAVING A VOICE ININTERNATIONAL FORA IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL.THE GOAL OF THE WORK GROUP IS TO ENSURE THAT POSITIONS ARE PRESENTED IN INTERNATIONAL FORA THATSUPPORT SUSTAINABLE USE AND THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATIVE SPECIES, UTILIZE THE BESTAVAILABLE SCIENCE, AND SUPPORT STATE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND THAT THE STATES AND THE U.S.GOVERNMENT COLLABORATE ON INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, THE WORK GROUPCOORDINATES WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) TO ENSURE THAT PROCESSES FOR THEIMPLEMENTATION OF TREATY DECISIONS ARE PRACTICAL TO IMPLEMENT BY THE STATES. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS,THE WORK GROUP MUST PARTICIPATE IN CITES AND IUCN MEETINGS AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE USFWS ANDOTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW THE WORK GROUP TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE S ABILITY TOMANAGE WILDLIFE IS NOT INFRINGED UPON BY ACTIONS TAKEN AT CITES, IUCN OR OTHER FORA, AND WHEREAPPROPRIATE, THE WORK GROUP WILL SUPPORT CANADIAN PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES. THE WORK GROUP WILLALSO SERVE AS THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES CONTACT POINT WITH THE USFWS AND OTHER FEDERALAGENCIES, PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT WAY FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO COOPERATIVELY IMPLEMENT THEIRINTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS. THE IMPACT OF GRANT OUTCOMES CONTINUES BEYOND THE LIFE OF THIS GRANT BY IMPACTING FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.

STATE FISH& WILDLIFE AGENCY COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION

AFWA MIGRATORY BIRD COORDINATOR

REFUGES: PARCA

DECISIONS MADE IN INTERNATIONAL FORA, SUCH AS THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FLORA AND FAUNA (CITES), CAN POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OR PRACTICES OF STATE, PROVINCIAL, AND TERRITORIAL FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT REALISTIC NOR ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FOR ALL STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (STATES) TO PARTICIPATE IN CITES, THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN), OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL FORA. AT THE SAME TIME, U.S. FEDERAL AGENCIES, FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) ARE AT THE TABLE AND HAVE INPUT IN DECISIONS. THEREFORE IN 1994, THE CITES TECHNICAL WORK GROUP (WORK GROUP) WAS CREATED. IT INCLUDES A MEMBER FROM EACH STATE REGIONAL ASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (AFWA). THE WORK GROUP HAS BEEN HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE STATES (AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, CANADIAN PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES) ABILITY TO MANAGE AND CONSERVE WILDLIFE AND IN INFLUENCING DECISIONS THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED POSITIONS THAT ENCOURAGE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF WILDLIFE. WITHOUT THE WORK GROUP, THE STATES DO NOT HAVE A VOICE IN DECISIONS, NOR CAN THEY BRING SCIENCE-BASED, ON-THE-GROUND EXPERTISE TO HELP GUIDE DECISIONS. CONSIDERING THE RECENT PANDEMIC AND THE SPOTLIGHT IT HAS PUT ON FISH AND WILDLIFE USE AND CONSUMPTION AND ONE HEALTH, HAVING A VOICE IN INTERNATIONAL FORA IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL.THE GOAL OF THE WORK GROUP IS TO ENSURE THAT POSITIONS ARE PRESENTED IN INTERNATIONAL FORA THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE USE AND THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATIVE SPECIES, UTILIZE THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE, AND SUPPORT STATE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, AND THAT THE STATES AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT COLLABORATE ON INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, THE WORK GROUP COORDINATES WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) TO ENSURE THAT PROCESSES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TREATY DECISIONS ARE PRACTICAL TO IMPLEMENT BY THE STATES. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE WORK GROUP MUST PARTICIPATE IN CITES AND IUCN MEETINGS AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE USFWS AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW THE WORK GROUP TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE S ABILITY TO MANAGE WILDLIFE IS NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY ACTIONS TAKEN AT CITES, IUCN, OR OTHER FORA, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE WORK GROUP WILL SUPPORT CANADIAN PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES. THE WORK GROUP WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE STATE CONTACT POINT FOR THE USFWS AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT WAY FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS COOPERATIVELY. THE IMPACT OF GRANT OUTCOMES CONTINUES BEYOND THE LIFE OF THIS GRANT BY IMPACTING FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.

WATERFOWL HABITATS LIKE WETLANDS AND GRASSLANDS ARE AMONG NORTH AMERICAS MOST IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS. THEY ARE KEY TO CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AND ABUNDANT, HEALTHY WILDLIFE. THE NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT PLAN (NAWMP) IS ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON WETLANDS AND GRASSLANDS. THE NAWMP IS ALSO AN ENTERPRISE COMPRISED OF A DIVERSE NETWORK OF STATE, PROVINCIAL, TERRITORIAL, TRIBAL, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, AS WELL AS NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO MANAGE HABITATS, POPULATIONS, AND THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WATERFOWL AND ASSOCIATED SPECIES. OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE NAWMP COMMUNITY, MIGRATORY BIRD JOINT VENTURES (JOINT VENTURES), AND OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE COMMITTED SCARCE RESOURCES TO COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS AND ACHIEVED A MODERATE LEVEL OF SUCCESS. IT IS TIME TO TAKE A MORE CONCERTED AND TARGETED APPROACH TO MARKETING NAWMP AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING WETLANDS AND THE ASSOCIATED UPLAND HABITAT REQUIRED FOR WATERFOWL AND OTHER WETLAND-DEPENDENT SPECIES.THE NAWMP COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE DEVELOPED A MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGY IN 2023 TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ROLLOUT OF THE 2024 NAWMP UPDATE (RELEASED JANUARY 2025). THE GOALS OF THIS PLAN ARE TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR WETLAND AND WATERFOWL CONSERVATION, INCREASE POLICY THAT SUPPORTS WETLAND AND WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT, AND INCREASE EFFORTS AND PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE NAWMP. THIS GRANT PROPOSAL AIMS TO IMPLEMENT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE NAWMP MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGY BY CREATING A NEW OUTWARD-FACING NAWMP WEBSITE, IMPROVING THE ORGANIZATION AND ACCESS TO HISTORICAL NAWMP DOCUMENTS, CREATING MARKETING PRODUCTS AND TOOLS FOR CONSERVATION PARTNERS INVOLVED IN NAWMP, AND BUILDING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK TO EXPAND THE REACH AND IMPACT OF THESE COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS. THE PROJECT WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO MARKETING TOOLS FOR THE 24 JOINT VENTURES AND NUMEROUS OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. THE MARKETING ACTIVITIES WILL ENGAGE APPROXIMATELY 500 INDIVIDUALS BY THE END OF 2026 AND ESTABLISH THE MECHANISMS TO REACH AT LEAST 1,500 INDIVIDUALS BY THE END OF 2027.

COORDINATION OF FARM BILL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION TO OPTIMIZE ON-THE-GROUND FISH AND WILDLIFE BENEFITS TO THE STATES

FISH BARRIER DATABASE - PH III

COORDINATION OF STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCIES' AUTHORITY TO MANAGE WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN CONCERT WITH FEDERAL ACTIONS REQUIRED BY CITES

STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCY COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION

SCIENCE AND COLLABORATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP

THE GRANTEE REPRESENTS THE CONSENSUS INTERESTS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION NEEDS ARE PROPERLY INCORPORATED INTO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. IN 2020, THESE USDA FUNDS PROVIDED 1.84 BILLION FOR THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM, PROTECTING 1.6 MILLION ACRES OF LAND BY TAKING MARGINAL CROPLAND OUT OF PRODUCTION. IN ADDITION TO THIS BREAD ANDBUTTER PROGRAM FOR MOST WILDLIFE AGENCIES, THE NRCS SPENT 6.2 BILLION DOLLARS ON CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THE SAME YEAR. THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ACROSS ALL REGIONS TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THESE USDA PROGRAMS AND FEEDBACK ON HOW PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY FUNCTIONING IN EACH STATE, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ACTIONS. THE GRANTEE WILL FACILITATE WORKING GROUPS THAT REPRESENT EACH OF THE FARM BILL PROGRAMS IMPACTING WILDLIFE TO ENSURE STATE MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF UPDATED POLICIES AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITYTO VOICE PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS, ENSURING THAT THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE USED AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE.

SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN

SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN

THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP IS A UNIQUE AQUATIC HABITAT CONSERVATION DELIVERY PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN SING A COOPERATIVE, NON-REGULATORY, AND SCIENCE-GUIDED APPROACH SINCE 2006 TO CHANGE THE CONDITION OF FISHERIES THROUGH 20 FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. THIS APPROACH WAS CODIFIED BY CONGRESS IN THE AMERICAS CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT ACT 2020. TO PROVIDE THE FOUNDATIONAL SCIENCE UNDERLYING THIS EFFORT AND TO ASSIST IN CONSERVATION PLANNING, THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP BOARD HAS GENERATED TWO NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENTS IN 2010 AND 2015. BOTH ASSESSMENTS INCLUDING METHODS, RESULTS AND DATA ARE ON THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS WEBSITE (FISHHABITAT.ORG) AND ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE 2020 ACT IS AN UNFUNDED REQUIREMENT TO CONTINUE ASSESSING THE NATIONS FISH HABITAT AND TO FILL GAPS IN THE PREVIOUS ASSESSMENTS BY THE END OF 2025. TO MEET THIS NEED, WE WILL USE AN ANALYTICAL APPROACH SIMILAR TO PAST ASSESSMENTS THAT EXAMINES INFLUENCES OF LANDSCAPE STRESSORS SUCH AS AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ON FISH COMMUNITIES. THIS ASSESSMENT WILL INFORM USERS OF THE LEVEL OF DEGRADATION TO AQUATIC HABITATS ALONG WITH THOSE KEY STRESSORS IMPACTING HABITAT CONDITION AND ASSOCIATED DEGRADATION SCORES ACROSS THE NATION. THIS PROJECT WILL UPDATE THE CURRENTLY OUT-OF-DATE ASSESSMENT AND COMPLETE PART OF THE 2020 CONGRESSIONAL REQUIREMENT BY: 1) UPDATING DATA LAYERS USED IN THE PAST ASSESSMENTS TO THEIR MOST RECENT VERSIONS 2) ADDRESSING KNOWN GAPS IN HYDROLOGY, FOREST HARVEST, AND GRAZING INTENSITY WITH A FOCUS ON HYDROLOGY AND 3) GENERATING NEW ASSESSMENT PRODUCT COMPONENTSWITH A SIMILAR SPATIAL SCALE AND LOOK TO THE 2015 ASSESSMENT USING THE SAME ANALYTICAL APPROACH CITED IN THAT PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT IS TARGETED AT INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES THAT ARE INTERESTED ABOUT THE STATE OF FISH HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES AND INCLUDES CONGRESS AND THEIR STAFFS, AQUATIC HABITAT CONSERVATION LEADERS AND STAFF AT STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCY LEVELS, NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS AND FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS ALONG WITH THEIR PARTNERS WHICH NUMBER OVER 1500 AT THIS TIME, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN AQUATIC HABITAT CONSERVATION, AND THE INTERESTED PUBLIC.

SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN

SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABIT

AWFA'S LEGAL STRATEGY

THE GRANTEE REPRESENTS THE CONSENSUS INTERESTS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION NEEDS ARE PROPERLY INCORPORATED INTO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. IN 2022, THESE USDA FUNDS PROVIDED 1.83 BILLION FOR THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM, PROTECTING 1.8 MILLION ACRES OF LAND BY TAKING MARGINAL CROPLAND OUT OF PRODUCTION AND 2.4 MILLION ACRES INTO GRASSLAND CONSERVATION. IN ADDITION TO THIS BREAD AND BUTTER PROGRAM FOR MOST WILDLIFE AGENCIES, THE NRCS SPENT NEARLY 5 BILLION DOLLARS ON CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THE SAME YEAR. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS IN CONSERVATION THROUGH THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2023 WILL ALSO ALLOW STATE AGENCIES TO LEVERAGE THESE FUNDS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE. THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES ACROSS ALL REGIONS TO PROVIDE INPUT DURING THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS OF THESE USDA PROGRAMS AND FEEDBACK ON HOW PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND ROLLOUT OF THE 2023 FARM BILL IS FUNCTIONING IN EACH STATE, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ACTIONS. THE GRANTEE WILL FACILITATE WORKING GROUPS THAT REPRESENT EACH OF THE FARM BILL PROGRAMS IMPACTING WILDLIFE TO ENSURE STATE MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF UPDATED POLICIES AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS, ENSURING THAT THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE USED AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. THOSE WORKING GROUPS INCLUDE THE: BIOENERGY, CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, FARM BILL EASEMENTS, FORESTRY, PUBLIC ACCESS, REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, AND PRIVATE LANDS WORKING GROUPS.

WILDLIFE VIEWER SURVEY: ENHANCING RELEVANCY AND ENGAGING SUPPORT FROM A BROADER CONSTITUENCY

COORDINATION OF FARM BILL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION TO OPTIMIZE ON-THE-GROUND FISH AND WILDLIFE BENEFITS TO THE STATES

COORDINATION OF FARM BILL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

FAC: SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN

NATIONAL SURVEY OF OWNERSHIP AND USE OF TRAPS BY TRAPPERS IN THE U.S. AND EVALUATION OF THE USE AND IMPLEMENTATION

THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF HUNTING, FISHING, AND WILDLIFE-ASSOCIATED RECREATION (NATIONAL SURVEY) IS THE PREMIER SURVEY FOR THE COLLECTION OF HUNTING AND FISHING PARTICIPATION DATA, WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO PLANNING AND COMMUNICATIONS AT STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS), AND A MYRIAD OF GROUPS INVOLVED IN CONSERVATION. IT ALSO REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT FUNDING INVESTMENT BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (ASSOCIATION) THROUGH THE MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM. ENSURING THE STATISTICAL VALIDITY AND RIGOR OF THE SURVEY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE AND IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ASSOCIATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL SURVEY TECHNICAL WORKGROUP, WHICH CONSISTS OF MEMBERS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND A TECHNICAL CONSULTANT.THIS GRANT IS INTENDED TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED EFFORTS OF THE NATIONAL SURVEY TECHNICAL WORKGROUP COORDINATION (NSTWG) CURRENTLY BEING CHAIRED BY DIRECTOR CURT MELCHER, DIRECTOR OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE, WHO WAS ALSO THE CO-CHAIR OF THE ASSOCIATION S PRESIDENTS TASK FORCE CHARGED WITH CREATING A VISION FOR FUTURE NATIONAL SURVEY EFFORTS. THE NSTWG IS CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2022 SURVEY PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER (NORC), ENSURING THAT THE SURVEY MEETS ALL APPLICABLE STATISTICAL STANDARDS, EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SURVEY AND INCORPORATING LESSONS LEARNED INTO NEW SURVEYS.RATHER THAN CONDUCTING ANOTHER IN-DEPTH AND EXPENSIVE INDEPENDENT EVALUATION, THE WORKGROUP PROPOSES WORKING TOGETHER WITH NORC, THE STATES, AND THE USFWS COORDINATION TEAM TO EXPLORE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NEXT SURVEY, WHICH MAY FORM THE BASIS OF THE NEXT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) AND OR SMALLER INTERIM SURVEY.THE NATIONAL SURVEY IS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED AND USED EXTENSIVELY BY STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT USE THE DATA FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES.

FY25 OPERATIONS DESERT FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP

WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, NATIVE TROUT POPULATIONS HAVE DECLINED AND REMAIN DEPRESSED ACROSS THE WEST. THIS DECLINE IS PRIMARILY A RESULT OF HABITAT DEGRADATION AND NON-NATIVE FISH INTRODUCTIONS. REMAINING NATIVE TROUT POPULATIONSARE OFTEN ISOLATED FROM ONE ANOTHER AND EXPOSED TO INCREASED PREDATION, COMPETITION, AND HYBRIDIZATION. THEFUTURE OF NATIVE TROUT CONTINUES TO BE THREATENED BY INCREASING HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH, COMPETITION ANDPREDATION FROM EXPANDING NONNATIVE FISHES, AND HABITAT REDUCTIONS FROM INCREASING DROUGHT SEVERITY, MORE INTENSE WILDFIRES, AND ANTHROPOGENIC LAND USES. THIS IS INCREASING THE URGENCY OF SECURING AND IMPROVING THE STATUS OF WESTERN NATIVE TROUT. THE 21 NATIVE TROUT AND CHAR ADDRESSED BY THE WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE (WNTI) ARE A VALUABLE COMPONENT OF THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE BUT ALSO ARE ECOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT TO WESTERN COMMUNITIES. MANY LOCALIZED CONSERVATION ACTIONS HAVE OCCURRED IN SMALL SCALES BUT ARE TYPICALLY IMPLEMENTED IN AN UNCOORDINATED, FRAGMENTED APPROACH LIMITING THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. LARGE-SCALE RANGE WIDE COORDINATED RESTORATION AND CONSERVATIONS ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT WESTERN NATIVE TROUT AND CHAR AT LANDSCAPE SCALES.THE WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE (WNTI) IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKSCOLLABORATIVELY ACROSS 12 WESTERN STATES TO CONSERVE (PROTECT, RESTORE, AND ENHANCE) 21 NATIVE TROUT AND CHARSPECIES. WNTI IS AN INITIATIVE UNDER THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (WAFWA) AND RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (NFHP) SINCE 2008. WE WORK COOPERATIVELY TO RESTORE AND RECOVER THE LAST REMAINING WESTERN NATIVE TROUT SPECIES ACROSS THEIR HISTORIC RANGE BY FUNDING EFFORTS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND BY INVESTING LIMITED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC RESOURCES TOWARD COMPLETING THE HIGHEST-IMPACT, VOLUNTARY, ON-THE-GROUND PROJECTS LED BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCE AGENCIES ACROSS THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. WNTI IS REQUESTING FUNDING TO MAINTAIN THE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY OF THE PARTNERSHIP THROUGH DIRECTED OUTREACH TO NEW PARTNERS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR 12 WESTERN STATES, DELIVER HABITAT CONSERVATION STRATEGIES WITHIN OUR REVISED STRATEGIC PLAN, SUPPORT ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTNERSHIPS STEERING COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES AS NEEDED, SHARE OUR WORK THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLICATION MATERIALS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR WEBSITE, ASSIST IN ORGANIZING AND PARTICIPATING IN REGIONAL OR NATIONAL SYMPOSIA TO CONTRIBUTE EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION FROM WNTI, AND SUPPORT THE PARTNERSHIPS EFFORTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP.THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO FURNISH THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, MATERIALS AND SERVICES, AND DO ALL THINGS TOOPERATE AND MANAGE THE BUSINESS OF THE WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE WITHIN THE MEMBER STATES OF THE WESTERNASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, OR THE STATES WITHIN THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP AS NEEDED.THESE ARE LONG-TERM PROJECT GOALS INTENDED TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS AMONG LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS TO CATALYZE AND ACCELERATE CONSERVATION OF WESTERN NATIVE TROUT ACROSS 12 WESTERN STATES. CONSERVING WESTERN NATIVE TROUT AND CHAR POPULATIONS REQUIRES A UNIFIED, COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG MULTIPLE STATE, FEDERAL, TRIBAL AND LOCAL AGENCIES AS WELL AS PRIVATE LANDOWNERS AND COMPANIES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.THE WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE WAS FORMED IN 2006 TO ENSURE THAT NATIVE TROUT POPULATIONS CONTINUE TO THRIVEIN THE FACE OF ONGOING CHALLENGES, WHILE FOSTERING A COOPERATIVE APPROACH TO CONSERVING THE WATER AND HABITATTHEY DEPEND ON FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT PLAN IN THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES IN THE SARP WORK AREA. THIS PROJECT WILL FACILITATE FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN THE REGION BY SUPPORTING OPERATIONS OF THE SOUTHEAST AQUATIC HABITAT PARTNERSHIP. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY SUPPORTING AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY TEAMS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, BY MAINTAINING, UPDATING, AND EXPANDING SARP S ONLINE BARRIER INVENTORY AND PRIORITIZATION TOOL, CONDUCTING ON THE GROUND CONSERVATION PROJECTS, AND FACILITATING INFORMATION SHARING AND RESEARCH. THIS PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, THE USDA FOREST SERVICE, NOAA FISHERIES, STATE FISHERIES AGENCIES, NGOS, AND BUSINESSES.

INTRODUCTORY IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION OUTREACH STRATEGY- PART 2

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY DIRECTOR TRAVEL ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION

STRENGTHENING AWARENESS OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT: SUPPORT FOR LEGAL STRATEGY AND CONSERVATION LAW EDUCATION UNDER MSCGP STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4

AFWA SCIENCE COORDINATION TEAM 2012

WSFR: MSCGP COORDINATION

INTRODUCTORY IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION OUTREACH STRATEGY.

CREATING A FISH BARRIER DATABASE FOR THE INTER-MOUNTAIN AND GREAT PLAINS LANDSCAPE

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY DIRECTOR TRAVEL ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION

MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM COORDINATION

COORDINATION OF STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES' AUTHORITY TO MANAGE WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN CONCERT WITH FEDERAL ACTIONS REQUIRED BY INTERNATIONAL TREATIES, CONVENTIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND INITIATIVES.

MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM COORDINATION

DEVELOPING BIOLOGICAL REFERENCE POINTS AND IDENTIFYING THE STATUS OF THE STOCK FOR FISHERY MANAGEMENT OF PADDLEFISH (POLYODON SPATHULA) IN THE MISSIS

SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF REGIONAL & NATIONAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS THROUGH STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCIES

NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS CLIMATE ADAPTATION

US NORTH AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (NABCI)