Leadership of the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) was recently invited to present to the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) at their 2026 General Assembly in Brussels.
FACE consists of 37 member nations representing over 7 million European hunter-conservationists and is one of WSF’s Affiliates in Europe and Central Asia, joining North American chapters and affiliates to broaden WSF’s collaborative impact globally.
"While the Atlantic may separate us, our issues and opportunities to advance sustainable use, conservation, the noble traditions of hunting, and the interests of hunters globally, who are the primary drivers for the future of wildlife, are the same, said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “How hunting and conservation in North America goes, so does hunting and conservation in Europe. How hunting in Europe goes, so does hunting and conservation in North America. WSF and our partners at FACE recognize this fact.”
“Our partners at FACE also recognize the importance of collaboration to implement on-the- ground conservation actions. FACE is the key player bringing together WSF, SCI/F, CIC, Slovenian Hunters Association and Slovenian Forestry Service to restore alpine ibex in Slovenia,” said Kurt Alt, WSF International Programs Lead.
Thornton and Alt attended the gathering in Brussels and participated in several strategic planning discussions, Communications Working Group meetings, and planning for their Game Meat Week coming this November.
In addition, WSF’s Women Hunt® Program Chair Renée Thornton was specifically invited by FACE leadership to share insight into this growing WSF program to engage, educate, empower, and inspire women to join our community not just as supporters but as active hunters, participants, and advocates for our way of life. Renée was invited to address the Communications Working Group, as Europe is seeing significant growth in women in hunting and field sports, with France and Hungary alone noting that 30+% of their new hunting license applicants are women.
WSF was also recognized for providing $50,000 USD for FACE’s advocacy work.
“WSF was proud to not only participate in the General Assembly, but also to financially support this great organization representing so many sportsmen and women across Europe. WSF Industry Support grants over the past two years have helped support the funding of a FACE Public Affairs Advocate to the European Parliament. This advocacy is strategic and positively impacts the global fight against import bans, fur bans, lead ammunition bans, and bans on all hunting being advanced by well-funded, well-supported international anti-hunting NGOs. It is critical that hunters in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the south Pacific join as a united front to not only push back on these anti-hunting attempts but take the offensive as well. Our industry partner SCI also supports FACE staff with annual grants to help fund a FACE attorney. This is a fine example of North American NGOs collaborating with our European partners to advance the interests of hunters worldwide.” Thornton added.
WSF joins our industry partners SCI, SCIF, DSC, and CIC at these important assemblies to work collaboratively to ensure that hunting remains a critical component of the sustainable use of wildlife globally.
About the Wild Sheep Foundation: The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Montana, is a leading international conservation organization dedicated to wild sheep and their habitats. Founded in 1977 by sportsmen and conservationists, WSF has invested more than $156 million in conservation efforts worldwide.
Through initiatives focused on habitat enhancement, population restoration, scientific research, education, and advocacy, WSF works to fulfill its mission to "Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®." These efforts have helped restore North American bighorn sheep populations from historic lows of approximately 25,000 in the mid-20th century to more than 85,000 today.
WSF serves a global membership of more than 11,000 supporters and collaborates with partners across North America, Europe, and Asia to ensure a sustainable future for wild sheep. Learn more at www.wildsheepfoundation.org.