Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Applauds Secretarial Order Affirming State Authority and Science-Based Wildlife Management

Washington D.C. (January 13, 2026)- The Affiliation of Fish & Wildlife Businesses (Affiliation) applauds the U.S.  Division of the Inside for issuing Secretarial Order 3447, Increasing Searching and Fishing Entry, Eradicating  Pointless Limitations, and Guaranteeing Consistency Throughout the Division of the Inside Lands and Waters. The order directs  coordination with state fish and wildlife companies and reinforces a science-based strategy to wildlife administration,  together with choices associated to the usage of ammunition and fishing sort out on federal lands. 

“State fish and wildlife companies handle wildlife for the good thing about all People, utilizing science-based frameworks  developed over many years of profitable conservation,” stated Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Sources Part of the  West Virginia Division of Pure Sources and President of the Affiliation. “We recognize Secretary Burgum’s  dedication to coordination with state fish and wildlife companies and his recognition that efficient conservation is  achieved by way of collaboration, not one-size-fits-all mandates.” 

Immediately, Johansen additionally offered testimony to the Home Pure Sources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries  on the significance of public entry for looking, angling, and recreating. Johansen emphasised that choices affecting  looking, angling, and wildlife administration needs to be made by way of cooperative processes that respect state authority,  incorporate one of the best obtainable science, and think about on-the-ground circumstances. Secretarial Order 3447 reinforces these  rules and supplies necessary certainty for states, hunters, anglers, and conservation companions. 

“America’s wildlife conservation mannequin depends upon partnership,” stated Ron Regan, Govt Director of the Affiliation.  “Secretarial Order 3447 helps be sure that federal actions align with state-led conservation packages which have delivered  measurable advantages for wildlife and habitat nationwide.” 

The Affiliation appears to be like ahead to continued collaboration with the Division of the Inside, and all federal companions,  Tribes, and conservation stakeholders to advance shared conservation targets and maintain the nation’s wildlife heritage for  future generations.

The Affiliation of Fish & Wildlife Businesses represents North America’s fish and wildlife companies to advance sound, science primarily based administration and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats within the public curiosity. The Affiliation represents  its state company members on Capitol Hill and earlier than the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation  coverage and funding and works to make sure that all entities work collaboratively on an important points. The Affiliation  additionally supplies member companies with coordination providers on cross-cutting in addition to species-based packages that vary  from birds, fish habitat and power growth to local weather change, wildlife motion plans, conservation schooling, management  coaching and worldwide relations. Working collectively, the Affiliation’s member companies are making certain that North American  fish and wildlife administration has a transparent and collective voice.

ASSOCIATION OF FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCIES www.fishwildlife.org