(Washington, D.C.) – The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports is pleased to welcome Taniya Bethke as the new Director of Operations.

Taniya served the past 4 years as the R3 Coordinator and Division Staff Specialist of Education for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. In that role she helped drive R3 efforts for the state of South Dakota, establishing R3 as a cornerstone of her agency. Taniya has actively engaged across both the Midwest and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) regions to collaborate on R3 and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, including administration of a Multistate Conservation Grant to create the Small Game Diversity and Inclusion Outreach Toolkit. She is also an active member on the AFWA Education, Outreach, and Diversity (EOD) DEI Work Group and actively strives to make outdoor recreation accessible and inclusive to all people.

As Director of Operations, Taniya will work with Executive Director, Dr. Steven Leath, to advance the development of the Council while ensuring successful and consistent operation of the organization. Ms. Bethke will provide leadership on the National R3 Symposium and provide primary leadership for national and regional R3 training and education programs. Bethke will also co-lead the National R3 Implementation Workgroup and the effort to demonstrate national progress on R3 efforts and provide leadership for the Council’s efforts to grow hunting and shooting sports by innovative new approaches to make the activities more inclusive.

"I am beyond excited to work with The Council on the next phase of R3,” Taniya states. “A powerful foundation has been built and we're all looking ahead. These are new times, with new challenges to obliterate and new customers to serve. There are bridges to be built, and I'm all-in. "

Taniya’s love of the outdoors extends outside of her profession. She loves camping and hiking with her family and friends, shooting her bow, hunting, wildlife photography and drawing, and teaching her 2-year-old daughter, Fio, how to fish. Taniya and her husband, Aric are expecting their second daughter this summer and can't wait to show her their love of wild spaces.

“Taniya is an immeasurable asset to the Council. Her strong skillsets, informed perspective, and dynamic personality will help drive the Council towards a bright future,” states Dr. Steven Leath. “We are fortunate to have Taniya join our team.”

To get in touch with Taniya, please contact her via email at Taniya@cahss.org.

To read this press release online, please visit: https://cahss.org/taniya-bethke-joins-council-team-as-director-of-operations/

About the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports

Purpose: Ensure support for and active participation in hunting and the shooting sports for future generations.

Vision: America where hunting and the shooting sports are an integral part of mainstream culture and where hunters and shooters are widely recognized as premiere conservation contributors.

Mission: Facilitate the promotion and growth of hunting and the shooting sports and the education of the public on the contributions that hunters and shooters make towards wildlife conservation.

Contact:

Haley Faith
haley@cahss.org

For Immediate Release: