Broadening Conservation Funding

Most Americans agree that conservation is important, but where should that money come from? Especially if you believe in small government? Here’s a great, very thorough article about where exactly that money can come from. The good news is that most of it isn’t from taxpayers, and there’s a great shoutout to the good role that hunters play in conservation.

“Adequate funding of fish and wildlife conservation and other critical resource needs such as water quality is essential and important to the quality of life for all Americans. Historically, the United States has made major investments in a system of conservation that is recognized throughout the world. With the political, economic, social, technological, and environmental changes we are currently experiencing, this impressive system of conservation will not sustain itself without solving the many challenges it faces, especially with regards to funding.

We all remain committed to this critical task of maintaining a system of conservation; however, it must constantly be nurtured because there is much competition for funding to manage this system and special interest groups seem to constantly have their own agendas that go well beyond the reason that these policies and funding levels were established.

However, it is our duty as professionals in wildlife conservation to maintain—and improve upon—what the conservation leaders before us created. To do so, we must do a better job of being more involved in the political process, unify our collective strengths, and apply them to our common challenges and opportunities.”

Read the entire report here.