Is it time to rethink how state wildlife agencies receive funding?
For decades, hunters and anglers have funded approximately 81% of wildlife conservation in Tennessee. While that model built a strong conservation system, it no longer reflects how widely wildlife and public lands are used or the cost pressures facing the agency today.
Without question, inflation is negatively impacting conservation. Historically, it's always fallen to sportsmen to fund the increasing price of conservation. When prices go up, we see widespread increases in license fee structures with state agencies. Sometimes, that doesn't happen as the economy moves and might occur over decades. Even so, it always happens.
Within these inflation-filled windows, it's very difficult for wildlife agencies, and conservation in general, to stay current with increasing costs. It moves significantly faster than state agency funding.
People love places where they can successfully hunt, fish, and otherwise enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, due to funding changes in the state of Tennessee, the TWRA is experiencing a budget shortfall. As a result, there isn't enough money to achieve goals, prioritize conservation, and deliver measurable results. It needs long-term solutions.
TFT wants to assist in securing dedicated, recurring funding for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), which uses existing state revenues. The goal is to modernize an outdated funding model that relies primarily on hunters and anglers, while protecting TWRA's mission, independence, and fiscal integrity.
No agency can absorb the level of inflation Tennessee has experienced in recent years. Factor in being mandated to increase expenses by approximately $18.5 million dollars — with no new or offsetting revenues — and meeting its mission becomes insurmountable. For the TWRA, this is an unsustainable situation.
Diving deeper, these mandated cost increases were applied across the state government. Other departments and agencies received general fund support to cover those additional requirements, but wildlife conservation, did not. Instead, hunters and anglers continue to carry the funding burden.
It's time to consider other funding models. Nationwide, it's critically important to fund the agencies and organizations that are managing our natural resources. Consequently, wildlife resource agencies need changes in funding structures.
In contrast to the TWRA, other states have more robust funding techniques. Examples include advertising capabilities, statewide tax structures that go toward conservation, and more. Partnership with other organizations in the outdoor arena, including nonprofits, is vital, too. Other structural changes for the facilitation of long-term funding models will benefit Tennessee wildlife and hunters, and other states, as well.
The future of wildlife conservation isn't just with hunters, but all who enjoy our natural resources. Oftentimes, non-hunters enjoy and benefit from wildlife in various ways, but they don't contribute to conservation in measurable means. They aren't giving back like hunters do. We need everyone involved to solve long-term challenges in conservation.
Want to help? The legislators in Tennessee must hear from you. Send them a request to support modernized funding models. Share this message with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Email or call your elected official in state legislature here: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/Apps/fml/search.
Now is your chance to make your voice heard to ensure our kids and grandkids can enjoy Tennessee's outdoors the way they were meant to be enjoyed. Ask your legislators to support dedicated, recurring funding for TWRA. Make it clear that license fee increase is not the only answer. Support policies that strengthen access, affordability, and participation.
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