07/07/16
RGS News
Publication Forward:
Wildlife for the 21st Century: Volume V is the fifth in a series of recommendations from the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) beginning in 2001. AWCP is a consortium of 45 organizations that represent the interests of America’s millions of dedicated hunter conservationists, professional wildlife and natural resource managers, outdoor recreation users, conservation educators, and wildlife scientists.
AWCP came together in 2000 to combine the energy and wisdom of our individual organizations. While individual organizations have their own primary areas of interest, collectively we all are dedicated to ensuring the vitality of our wildlife resources and providing for sustainable public use and enjoyment of those resources under the science-based management of the state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, in cooperation with habitat and land management by the federal, state, county, and local governments. This system of wildlife conservation is known as The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
We work together towards a future in which we envision…
- all wildlife and private and public habitats are abundant, maintained and enhanced;
- hunting, trapping and other outdoor interests are supported by the public to maintain America’s great wildlife conservation heritage and cultural traditions;
- natural resources policies encourage, empower, and reward stewardship and responsible use;
- all citizens are committed to principles of scientific wildlife management, where wildlife is held in public trust, and where the use of resources is shared equitably and sustained for present and future generations.
Previous volumes were provided to Presidents Bush and Obama. Now we present these recommendations to help inform the next administration about the pressing issues facing wildlife conservation and our sporting heritage. These recommendations for improving wildlife conservation are offered in the spirit of the hunter conservationists our organizations represent. Each recommendation is based on sound science and builds on the historical achievements of hunter conservationists in making this country’s wildlife resources the envy of the world.
These recommendations represent a general agreement of the partners. Each partner organization reserves the right to establish independent positions on any issue as we research, debate, and act on these ideas for the next 5 years of the 21st century. In the tradition of the hunter and angler conservationists, we look forward to working with you to conserve our fish, wildlife, and habitat resources long into the 21st century.
Joel Pedersen, 2015 Chair
American Wildlife Conservation Partners
Editor, Wildlife in the 21st Century, Volume V
(803) 637-3106
