Washington D.C. - The voting membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies passed four resolutions during its Business Meeting held on September 13, 2017.

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Resolution #2017-01-04: Support for the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program Funding and the Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife Campaign

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association recognizes and appreciates the valuable contributions of co-chairs Mr. John Morris and former Governor David Freudenthal and the business and conservation leaders of the Blue Ribbon Panel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association stands ready to work with the Blue Ribbon Panel members and other conservation groups, businesses and industries that form the Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife campaign to work with the US Congress and the Federal administration to implement the Blue Ribbon Panel's funding recommendation by passing legislation to create a 21st century conservation funding model that provides states, territories, and the District of Columbia with sustained and dedicated funding to conserve all fish and wildlife and their habitats; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association also stands ready to support continuing efforts by the Blue Ribbon Panel to develop recommendations that will ensure state fish and wildlife agencies remain relevant and supported by all citizens well into the future.

Resolution #2017-02-04: Support for Grassland Bird Conservation, Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recognizes the urgent plight of North America's grasslands and supports increased trilateral resources for conservation, research, monitoring, and evaluation of grasslands and the fauna that depend on them.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this includes identifying specific trilateral threats and limiting factors causing the declines of the highest concern species and conservation efforts to stabilize and reverse trends.
Be it further resolved, that significant new investment in voluntary and incentive-based efforts, such as conservation provisions in the U.S. Farm Bill, to improve the quality and diversity of remaining grasslands and to slow or reverse declines in grassland bird populations, pollinators, and other grassland dependent wildlife is supported by State and Provincial members.

Resolution 2017-03-04: In Support of Funding and Resources for Fish and Wildlife Disease Prevention, Detection and Management

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies urges the U. S. Congress to fully fund existing programs, laboratories, and research institutions that provide critical support to state and federal fish and wildlife agencies in the prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, research, and management of fish and wildlife diseases, including programs which are housed at or funded by the U. S. Geological Survey, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Park Service, the U. S. Forest Service, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies urges the Secretaries of Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture to fully fund, staff, and equip those programs, laboratories, and research institutions in their Departments that provide fish and wildlife disease surveillance, diagnostics, training and continuing education, and management-relevant research and information to the state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, and encourage public-private partnerships which can provide additional support and resources for these activities.

Resolution #2017-04-04: In Appreciation of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Department of Natural Resources for Hosting the AFWA Annual Meeting in Snowbird, Utah

WHEREAS, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies held its 107th Annual Meeting in the beautiful foothills of the Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah; and,

WHEREAS, Utah is the home of six National Parks, six National Forests and 43 state parks; and

WHEREAS, the state fish and wildlife agency directors and AFWA staff had the opportunity to experience firsthand the Rocky Mountain elk, Utah's state animal, including experiencing some of the sounds elk use to communicate such as its piercing bugle call, barking and squealing; and

WHEREAS, Utah offers many other attractions including Monument Valley, the Great Salt Lake, the Bonneville Salt Flats and Lake Powell and boasts many premium outdoor opportunities for fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated activities; and

WHEREAS, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Director Mike Fowlks and his staff gave AFWA's Annual Meeting an environment of professionalism, collegiality and friendship to hold its 107th AFWA Annual Meeting; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies extends its deep appreciation to Director Fowlks and his staff for hosting the 107th Annual Meeting.

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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America's fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association's member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.