The Square Dealer returns! Thanks to the addition of some new staff (see below) we will now be able to get these updates out on a regular basis. As with all things in this young organization, we appreciate any feedback and ideas you have.  Please send to comments@trcp.org.

In This Issue

Inside the TRCP – Latest news from within the partnership

TRCP’s Life In The Open Debuts on OLN
TRCP Chairman Profiled in Time Magazine
Board of Directors Expands and Welcomes New Members
Rollie Sparrowe Assumes Chairmanship of TRCP Policy Council

Initiative News – Updates on the official policy initiatives Of The partnership

Fisheries Working Group Applauds Creation of Open Rivers Initiative
Marine Conservation Working Group Moves Forward on Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization
Transportation Working Group’s Efforts Help Lead to Most Fish- and Wildlife-Friendly Highway Bill Ever
Forest Roads Working Group Members Named to Joint Federal Advisory Committee
Conservation Tax Incentive Working Group Confronts Serious Threat 
Access Working Group Driving Open Fields Legislation
Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group Pulls Together Unprecedented Effort on Farm Bill
Better Funding for State Fish and Wildlife Managers

TRCP Board and Policy Council News – Latest conservation action from our partner organizations
News from the Nation’s Capital – Latest decisions and developments from Washington affecting sportsmen and women
Grassroots Report – Feedback on current grassroots campaigns
Affiliate News – Latest action from TRCP affiliates and new groups joining the network
Your Photos – Check out the recent success of your fellow partners
Featured Board of Directors/Policy Council Profile – Meet the leaders who drive the work of the TRCP
Featured Corporate Supporter - Learn about Corporate Partners providing support vital to carrying out our mission
New on the Reading List
TRCP Staff News - The latest on the people working every day to "Guarantee You a Place to Hunt and Fish"
TR History - Essays and historical tidbits on the man from whom the Partnership draws its name and inspiration

Inside the TRCP - Latest news from within the Partnership

1. TRCP’s Life In The Open Debuts on OLN
2. TRCP Chairman Profiled In Time Magazine
3. Board of Directors Expands and Welcomes New Members
4. Rollie Sparrowe Assumes Chairmanship of TRCP Policy Council

1. Life In The Open Debuts on OLN
   

   On October 2, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and Orion Multimedia debuted the TRCP’s Life In The Open, a new hunting and fishing show that airs on OLN Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, Mondays at 12:30 p.m. Eastern and Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.

   The TRCP’s Life In The Open takes viewers to many of the best hunting and fishing destinations in America, including some trips down Theodore Roosevelt’s old hunting trails. Through the show, the TRCP seeks to draw American sportsmen into asking themselves "What would Teddy do?" and inspire them to act in a manner worthy of his conservation legacy. The show, like the TRCP itself, is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s love of adventures in the outdoors, or, as he called it, "life in the open."

   The Building and Construction Trade Department (BCTD) of the AFL-CIO is the current anchor sponsor of the show. One of the BCTD unions, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), is also sponsoring the show along with the International Masonry Institute.

   For more information, click here.

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2. Jim Range profiled in Time magazine
   

   The October 3, 2005 edition of Time magazine included a profile of TRCP Chairman Jim Range in its "Innovators in Conservation" section. Beneath a photo of Jim alongside his German Wirehaired Pointer Tench on his Montana ranch, Time featured Jim’s role in working to preserve conservation tax incentives.  To read the story, click here.

   | Back to Top |     | Go to TRCP Home Page |

3. Board of Directors expands and welcomes new members
   

   The TRCP has welcomed eight new members to the organization’s Board of Directors. The following leaders from the conservation and business communities were unanimously approved this past spring:

   • Christine Godleski, Vice President and General Manager, BASS/ESPN Outdoors, New York, New York
   • James T. Martin, Director, Berkley Conservation Institute, Mulino, Oregon
   • Jill R. Olsen, Former CFO, Systemation, Englewood, Colorado
   • David D. Perkins, Executive Vice President, Orvis, East Dorset, Vermont
   • Marc A. Pierce, Co-Founder and CEO, Big Sky Carvers, Belgrade, Montana
   • Charles S. Potter Jr., President and CEO, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Dundee, Illinois
   • Donald L. Rollins, Former President, Allied Printing Services, Zionsville, Indiana
   • Steven A. Williams, President and CEO, Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, DC

   For more information on these new members and all the members of TRCP’s Board of Directors go to click here.

   The Board of Directors held a productive two-day meeting and committee work session in Julian, Pennsylvania on September 21 and 22. Board members attended a series of presentations by TRCP staffers on policy initiatives, communications strategies to complement the initiatives, and future plans for organizational development. Board members' input and advice, especially that offered directly to staff members in committee meetings held on day two, proved especially valuable in shaping future work plans.

   
   TRCP Board of Directors meeting in Julian, Pennsylvania

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4. Sparrowe Assumes Policy Council Chairmanship
   

   At the most recent meeting of the TRCP Policy Council held in Washington DC, Gary Taylor of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies stepped down as Policy Council Chairman and TRCP Board member Rollie Sparrowe assumed the seat. TRCP President Matt Connolly presented Gary with a beautifully hand carved Canvasback from Big Sky Carvers engraved with a message of appreciation for everything Gary has done to help this Partnership get up on its feet.

   Rollie lives in Pinedale, Wyoming. He recently retired from the Wildlife Management Institute, where he was President from 1991 to 2004.

   The TRCP Policy Council is a body of technically knowledgeable volunteers with experience in natural resource policy and fish and wildlife management who work for the country’s leading sporting and conservation organizations. The Council helps designate and manage the official TRCP Policy Initiatives.

   
   Outgoing Policy Council Chairman Gary Taylor accepts thanks from TRCP President Matt Connolly.

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Initiative News - Updates on the official Policy Initiatives of the Partnership

1. Fisheries Working Group Applauds Creation of Open Rivers Initiative
2. Marine Conservation Working Group Moves Forward on Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization
3. Transportation Working Group’s Efforts Help Lead to Most Fish and Wildlife Friendly Highway Bill Ever
4. Forest Roads Working Group Members Named to Joint Federal Advisory Committee
5. Conservation Tax Incentive Working Group Confronts Serious Threat
6. Access Working Group Driving Open Fields Legislation
7. Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group Pulls Together Unprecedented Effort on Farm Bill
8. Better Funding for State Fish and Wildlife Managers

1. Fisheries Initiative Working Group Applauds Creation of NOAA Open Rivers Initiative
   

   The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a new grant program called the Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) designed to provide funding to communities for removing obsolete and derelict stream barriers such as dams. There are currently more than 2 million small dams and other barriers blocking the passage of fish in the United States. Projects to date removing obsolete low head dams and other blockages and have opened hundreds of miles of vitally important habitat to fish that rely on migrating through rivers to spawn. Dam removal has boosted local economies with dramatically improved recreational fishing opportunities. By coming forth with a new funding source to remove more dams and barriers, NOAA has responded to one of the most important fisheries management problems in the United States. To read more, click here: http://www.trcp.org/pr_noaarivers.aspx

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2. Marine Conservation Working Group Presents Unified Voice in Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Process
   

   A piece of legislation commonly called the Magnuson-Stevens Act serves as the primary law governing marine fisheries management in the federal waters of the United States. Since its inception in 1976, the Magnuson-Stevens Act has been periodically reauthorized by Congress, a process that recently has begun anew. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers the law, introduced its version of reauthorization language in late September. The TRCP Marine Conservation Working Group, which includes representatives of the American Sportfishing Association, the Coastal Conservation Association, the International Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, the Berkley Conservation Institute and Environmental Defense, presented an immediate and unified public response to the proposal, calling it "a good starting point for future discussion," while highlighting the areas in which more progress needed to be demonstrated. The working group, which was formed this year to identify and promote consensus marine conservation priorities, believes that the act could be strengthened to improve current management processes, collect new data to fully document the importance of healthy fisheries to all user groups, allocate fishery resources efficiently and fairly, and improve the overall management of our coastal and ocean resources for all Americans.

     Specifically this coalition is focused on the following consensus priorities:
     1) implementing a state license system for salt water recreational fishing;
     2) establishing appropriate marine protected areas (MPA) guidelines;
     3) reducing the use of destructive fishing gear; and
     4) improving allocation of the marine fishery resource.

   For more information, please visit: http://www.trcp.org/pr_noaa_mcwg.aspx

   | Back to Top |     | Go to TRCP Home Page |

3. Transportation Working Group Plays Role in Passage of Most Wildlife- and Fish-Friendly Highway Bill Ever
   

   In early August, President Bush signed a new transportation bill containing an unprecedented level of funding dedicated to better conservation of fish and wildlife and improved access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation.

   This version of the regularly renewed legislation, passed by the House and Senate on July 29th, has shown that the transportation bill can and should be used as a means to improve fish and wildlife conservation in the United States and address the needs of American hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

   This working group’s efforts also highlight the rewards that can be found in looking at non-traditional sources for conservation funding.

   The "The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users," as this version of the six-year funding bill is titled, provides more than $2 billion in funding that will benefit fish, wildlife and sportsmen by supporting programs to:
   

   • reduce wildlife/vehicle accidents;
   • control the spread of harmful noxious weeds;
   • minimize the impact of highway projects on significant wildlife habitat;
   • increase meaningful habitat mitigation projects;
   • and improve access to hunting and fishing areas for sportsmen and women by repairing and creating trails and roads.

   The TRCP, working closely with its partner organizations led by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), and BASS and in conjunction with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, facilitated a multi-year coalition effort that ensured key lawmakers creating this highway bill would address the priorities of the hunting, fishing and conservation community.

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4. Forest Roads Working Group Members Invited to Join Roadless Area Citizens Advisory Committee
   

   The Forest Roads Working Group (FRWG), an ad hoc coalition of organizations that collectively represent conservationists, sportspersons, and outdoor recreation businesses that support the conservation of roadless areas of the National Forest System, applauded the selection of two of its members, Chris Wood, Trout Unlimited Vice President for Conservation Programs, and Paul Hansen, Executive Director of the Isaac Walton League of America, to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee.

   The Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee was announced by the U.S Department of Agriculture on Sept. 16. The committee’s purpose is to provide advice and recommendations on implementing the state petitions for managing Inventoried Roadless Areas in accordance with rules adopted by the USDA in May 2005.

   The May 2005 rule invited state governors to submit management plans for the roadless areas contained in National Forests and Grasslands located in their states. Once a state has submitted its petition and the Secretary of Agriculture accepts it, the Forest Service under the new rule will work with the state to develop and publish a subsequent state-specific rule that addresses the management requirements set forth in the petition. The Forest Service has stated the state-specific rulemaking process will include any required National Environmental Policy Act analysis and invite public input during a notice and comment period.

   "The creation of the advisory committee - a key proposal originally advanced by the Forest Roads Working Group - shows that the USDA plans to listen to the many public voices concerned with the management of roadless areas," said Jim Range, Chair of the FRWG. "The USDA also picked some very capable representatives from the conservation community to serve on the committee," Range said.

   To learn more about how your governor is approaching the roadless area petitioning process in your state, please contact Forest Roads Initiative Manager Bill Geer at bgeer@trcp.org.

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5. TRCP Joins Leading Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Groups in Urging Preservation of Vital Conservation Tax Incentive Tools
   

   More than two dozen leading national hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation and conservation groups delivered a letter to Congress expressing their strong support for conservation tax incentives and highlighting the vital role easements play in providing Americans outdoor recreational opportunities.

   The letter, sent to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT), arrived on Capitol Hill as this committee began a review of federal tax law for charitable giving and possible changes to tax incentives for conservation easements.

   "Easements ensure that millions of acres of wildlife habitat across the country remain healthy and intact, benefiting deer, waterfowl, fish and other game animals," the letter said.

   The letter was signed by 27 organizations including the Outdoor Industry Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League of America, the Land Trust Alliance, and the Trust for Public Land.

   In the letter, the groups said they are eager to work with the Finance Committee and that they support legislation containing targeted reforms to end tax abuses while preserving the core incentives that have encouraged private property owners to use conservation easements. In the last 25 years, more than 34 million of acres of natural areas, fish and wildlife habitat, and rural landscape have been protected from development thanks to voluntary conservation tax incentives. That’s an area roughly the size of Arkansas.

   A conservation easement is a voluntary, legally binding agreement that permanently limits certain types of uses or prevents development from taking place on a piece of property, while protecting the property’s ecological or open-space values. Easements allow individual owners to continue to own the land and to sell it or pass it on to their heirs.

   Learn more at: http://www.lta.org or www.nature.org.

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6. Guaranteeing Access through Open Fields Legislation
   

   "Open Fields" legislation, which would provide compensation to private landowners who voluntarily open their property for hunting and fishing access, is gathering steam within Congress, but most lawmakers have not signed on as co-sponsors. "Open Fields" is seen as the best possible means for addressing the related declines in hunter numbers and hunting opportunities.

   As of September, five months after introduction in the 109th Congress, 36 Members of Congress are sponsors and cosponsors of Open Fields.  During the entire 108th Congress a total of 40 Members of Congress cosponsored "Open Fields."

   The Web site, http://www.trcp.org/ea_openfields.aspx, is being updated daily to indicate Congressional cosponsors. Also added to the site is a new page, comprised of a color-coded map that indicates all states with access programs, along with access program contact information and the number of acres enrolled in each state.

   "Open Fields" will not move forward in Congress without a big increase in the number of members cosponsoring the bill in both the House and the Senate. You can visit the TRCP page above to find out whether your members of Congress are cosponsors and how you get in contact with your members who are not on board.

   | Back to Top |     | Go to TRCP Home Page |

7. Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group Pulls Together Unprecedented Effort Focused on Next Farm Bill
   

   The Farm Bill is perhaps the most important piece of conservation-oriented legislation that regularly comes down from Capitol Hill. It establishes, usually for about five years, the funding levels for a host of highly effective land management programs that encourage and reward good stewardship. Many of these programs are found within the Conservation Title of the Farm Bill.

   Early in 2005, in coordination with the TRCP, a diverse coalition consisting of representatives from TRCP partner and other hunting, fishing, conservation and wildlife organizations began work on recommendations for the Conservation Title of the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill. Thanks to a grant from the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, which includes the use of its facilities for room, board, and meeting rooms, three working group meetings have been held, and consensus priorities are beginning to emerge.

   The 2007 Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group (AWWG) has been formulated carefully to represent a broad diversity both of organizational mission areas and geographic representation.  Beginning with the first meeting in March 2005, and continuing through the ensuing meetings, the AWWG began a careful analysis and review of conservation programs currently authorized under the 2002 Farm Bill that are due to expire at the end of fiscal year 2007.

   To date, 18 "White Papers" have been completed and three additional White Papers are in draft status. Each White Paper provides an overview, identification of an issue or issues, and recommendations for addressing or resolving the issues. A compilation of the completed White Papers was provided to the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (IAFWA) State Farm Bill Coordinators and Conservation Directors during their annual meeting held during the week of September 11 in Nashville. The annual meeting was attended by TRCP Vice President of Policy Terry Riley and TRCP Policy Initiatives Manager Lynn Tjeerdsma. Both Terry and Lynn were on the agenda and provided an update on the work of the AWWG. They also facilitated a four-hour AWWG Farm Bill Forum.

   Back in DC, the TRCP arranged a meeting at the USDA/FSA Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs Office with Reggie Thackston, Bobwhite Quail Initiative Manager, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and Dan Forster, Director of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division, to discuss possible changes to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) wildlife cover practices that would be more beneficial to wildlife. Mr. Thackston and Mr. Forster were in Washington to testify at a U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on CRP.

   The TRCP Policy Council also hosted Mr. Merlyn Carlson, newly appointed Deputy Administrator for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA, at a get-acquainted luncheon during the August Policy Council Meeting.

   TRCP staff facilitated efforts between the Missouri Department of Conservation (DOC) and USDA regarding weed control and other practices on land enrolled in Missouri DOC wildlife habitat programs that resulted in a new determination by USDA/FSA Headquarters that the land enrolled in these programs was still eligible for Direct and Counter-cyclical Program payments. Because of this determination Missouri DOC anticipates increased enrollment in its wildlife habitat programs.

   Learn more at http://www.trcp.org/ch_farmbill.aspx.

   
   The TRCP’s AWWG meeting at the McGraw Wildlife Foundation’s facilities near Chicago

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8. Increasing State Wildlife Funding
   

   Each year since 2001, the U.S. Congress has appropriated special funds - called State Wildlife Grants - to state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies across the country for building pro-active Wildlife Action Plans that will benefit all wildlife by preventing species from being listed on the federal Endangered Species List.

   The State Wildlife Action Plans will play a vitally important role in helping our state fish and wildlife departments improve habitat and on-the-ground management strategies across large landscapes to help wildlife before an animal becomes so rare that it is expensive or impossible to save. At the same time, the TRCP is helping the species for which we love to hunt and fish.

   The annual appropriation for State Wildlife Grants was $69.1 million in 2005. The state-by-state allocations can be seen at here. The 2006 appropriation is likely to be $68.5 million based on the Senate-House Conference Report.

   The federally funded State Wildlife Action Plans will be completed this month, when the critical stage of implementation will begin. Implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plans will require sufficient federal funding every year to undertake the specific projects called for in the plans, and securing a sufficient appropriation will continue to be a challenge in the current tight fiscal environment.

   In support of continued funding, TRCP sent four Action Grams from March 15 and June 6, 2005, encouraging Partners and Affiliates to write to the House and Senate in support of an $85 million appropriation for 2006. The responses from Partners and Affiliates were greater than expected. The Senate-House Conference eventually agreed on a final appropriation amount of $68.5 million. Considering that the House originally passed only a $65 million appropriation, it’s a testament to the strength of our grassroots efforts that the State Wildlife Grant Program was cut less than 1% in a bill that was cut 2.5% overall, and which dramatically cut many popular conservation programs. Time and again, Congressional staff members have relayed how impressed they are with the strength of our grassroots support.

   TRCP is currently producing a short video that will explain State Wildlife Grants to hunters and anglers. It is expected to be available to hunting and angling organizations by November 2005. TRCP is also producing brochures that explain State Wildlife Grants to hunters and anglers, and the first should be available before the end of the year.

   See the Teaming With Wildlife website for more information on this important effort.

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   TRCP Board and Policy Council News - Latest conservation action from our partner organizations

   American Sportfishing Association
   The 2005 Sportfishing Summit held in Key Largo: More>>

   BASS/ESPN Outdoors
   Bass back in Idaho's Mud Lake. More>>

   Boone and Crockett Club
   More information, thoughts and opinions about the origins and importance of sportsmanship are at the new B&C backed "Hunt Fair Chase" Web site. More>>

   Coastal Conservation Association
   The Coastal Conservation Association has filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Fort Myers, Florida, challenging the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to close the entire grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. More>>

   Ducks Unlimited
   Congress has extended an important funding element for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), which provides federal cost-share funding for habitat conservation projects for waterfowl and other migratory birds. More>>

   International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
   As the populations of species such as beaver, bear and deer continue to grow, and contact with people becomes more frequent, wildlife professionals say they fear that an increasing proportion of the public is beginning to view wildlife as pests and not with the respect they deserve. More>>

   Izaak Walton League of America
   The IWLA has announced a new Conservation Director and Clean Air Program Coordinator. More>>

   Menhaden Matter
   TRCP supported group applauds ASMFC Cap on Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Catch: More>>

   The Nature Conservancy
   The ivory-billed woodpecker search team will discuss its findings and next steps at the Science Museum of Minnesota. More>>

   New York State Conservation Council
   The New York State Conservation Council has joined in the effort to protect Atlantic menhaden populations. More>>

   North American Grouse Partnership
   The North American Grouse Partnership signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management at the 70th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held in Arlington, Virginia. More>>

   Pheasants Forever
   Pheasants Forever is predicting that 2005 will be one of the finest hunting seasons ever. To find out why, visit: http://www.pheasantsforever.org/. The organization has also launched a new organization, Quail Forever, devoted to quail conservation More>>

   Pure Fishing
   Pure Fishing has launched the Berkley Conservation Institute.

   Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
   The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pennsylvania land management officials will dedicate a critical, 245-acre piece of elk country in late September. More>>

   Trout Unlimited
   TU and the EPA have announced a new partnership to clean up abandoned mines. More>>

   Whitetails Unlimited
   Whitetails Unlimited has made available an online hunting safety refresher. Anyone planning to head into the field this season should visit: More>>

   Wildlife Management Institute
   WMI is featuring an examination of the Endangered Species Act at More>>

   The Wildlife Society
   The Wildlife Society named Dr. Michael Hutchins its new executive director on September 1. More>>

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   News from the Nation’s Capital - Latest decisions and developments from Washington affecting sportsmen and women

   From the White House:

   The White House held a Conference on Cooperative Conservation August 21-24 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Bringing together representatives from throughout the conservation community, the conference was attended by 1,200 interested parties from across the wildlife, conservation, and hunting and angling communities to discuss case studies and ideas to enhance how working together leads to better stewardship of our natural resources.  Attending from the TRCP were Jim Range, Chairman of the Board; Matt Connolly, President and CEO; and Lynn Tjeerdsma, Policy Initiatives Manager.  The TRCP also displayed its booth in the Conference Exhibit Hall.

   Called for by an executive order, the conference proved to be an excellent opportunity to learn about success stories and discuss what works, and what does not, when it comes to bringing together the many players, from federal to local levels, to address conservation issues. Many of the outputs and additional information are available on the White House Conference of Cooperative Conservation Web site http://www.conservation.ceq.gov/. A full set of proceedings will be available in a few months.   Among the numerous keynote speakers at the Conference were The Hon. Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior; Stephen L. Johnson, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator; and The Hon. Mike Johanns, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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   From the Department of Interior:

   The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the addition of hunting and fishing programs on six national wildlife refuges across the nation, as well as the expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities at seven additional refuges. More>>

   The National Park Service has released a report, "Training the Next Generation of Conservation Scientists," on the accomplishments of the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program. Read more here..

   The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service are extending by 60 days the public comment period for the proposed changes in regulations that set forth the requirements necessary to obtain approval for proposed oil and gas activity on all Federal and Indian lands. More>>

   U.S. Geological Survey scientists report that preliminary analysis of satellite data indicate Hurricane Katrina caused substantial marsh loss. More>>

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   From the Department of Agriculture:

   Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says farmers and ranchers can re-enroll or extend their Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expiring in 2007 through 2010.More>>

   The USDA is conducting a national Farm Bill listening tour. To find out if and when USDA representatives will be in your area, click More>>.

   From the Environmental Protection Agency:

   The EPA reports that fish consumption advisories are on the rise nationally.More>>

   Questions about managing pollution runoff, increasing wildlife habitat and controlling invasive species in the nation's estuaries are among those addressed in a new EPA handbook released at the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation in St. Louis. More>>

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   Grassroots Report - feedback on current grassroots campaigns

   Learn more about how your fellow Partners have weighed in on key TRCP issues and about ways you can help.

   1. Adding Congressional Cosponsorship to "Open Fields" bill
   2. Confronting Threat to Conservation Tax Incentives
   3. Securing Better Funding for State Fish and Wildlife Managers
   
   
   1. Adding Congressional Cosponsorship to "Open Fields" Bill
      With the 2005 version of "Open Fields" before Congress, ensuring additional congressional cosponsor support is vital. Since the introduction of the bill, we have had more than 1,000 TRCP Partners send more than 3,000 letters to nearly 400 Congressional Members. This has helped attract its current 17 Senate Co-Sponsors and 19 House Co-sponsors. However, in order for the bill to move forward, it will need more cosponsors. To find out if your members of Congress are on board and what you can do about it if they are not, click here.
   2. Confronting Threat to Conservation Tax Incentives
      Proposed changes to the tax laws that would have devastated conservation tax incentives, including easements, were gaining momentum earlier this year on Capitol Hill. Thanks in part to 950 TRCP Partners who have sent 2,500 letters to more than 350 Senators and Representatives, it seems less likely that Congress will go beyond making beyond the necessary targeted reforms that TRCP supports. Things could change, however, so stay tuned. Learn more at: http://www.lta.org/ or www.nature.org.
   3. Securing Better Funding for State Fish and Wildlife Managers
      More than 1,300 TRCP Partners weighed in with their support for a more adequate level of funding for the State Wildlife Grants program. They generated more than 2,500 letters to 359 Members of Congress. Currently, the final status of State Wildlife Grant Funding is unknown, but it did come through Senate and House Conferencing at a funding level of $68.5 million. State Wildlife Grants fund the work of the state fish and wildlife managers in your state. See the Teaming With Wildlife website for more information.

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   Affiliate News - latest action from the TRCP affiliates and new groups joining the network

   We are pleased to announce the formal affiliation of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers with the TRCP. They are a very strong organization, with 730,000 members and a leadership that is passionate about hunting, fishing and protecting these traditions well into the future. Learn more about the IAM at their website, http://www.iamaw.org/.

   We are also proud to have added California Fly Fishers Unlimited as an official Affiliate of TRCP. Founded in 1961, CFFU, the oldest fishing club in the Sacramento, CA, is dedicated to promoting awareness and participation in the art of fly fishing and promoting the conservation, preservation and enhancement of our fishery resources. TRCP’s own Bill Geer was a CFFU member while in college in Sacramento in 1968. Learn more about the CFFU at www.cffu.org.

   We also welcome some of our other new affiliates, including the Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Kern River Archers and more than 30 Local Unions from the Building and Construction Trades Department.

   If you would like to find out more about signing up your club, organization or business as a TRCP Affiliate (for FREE!) click here.

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   Your Photos - Check out the recent success of your fellow partners

   
   This photo of a great pronghorn comes to us from Bryce Hulsey out of Norman, Oklahoma. Thanks Bryce for submitting your photo, your TRCP hat is on its way. View the rest of the TRCP Partner Photo gallery here.

   We need your photos!!We are trying to expand our photo gallery on our new Web site and would love to include your photo. Please send the photo with information on how and where you got what’s in the shot. If we pick yours for our next newsletter, we’ll send you a TRCP hat too. Send photos to photos@trcp.org. Electronic photos only please.

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   Featured Board of Directors/Policy Council Profile

   David Perkins - TRCP Board Member and Executive Vice President of Orvis

   Dave Perkins joined Orvis in 1977 and has held numerous positions in the company from Fly Fishing Instructor to Wholesale Manager. Dave currently oversees the Wholesale business, which maintains over 600 accounts; the Retail business, which operates 26 company stores; and the Fly Fishing and Wingshooting Schools, with 2,100 students passing through 12 schools nationwide. In addition, Dave directs: the Orvis Travel Service and its offering of international fly fishing, wingshooting and adventure travel destinations; the Orvis Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters and Guides program, an organization of 150 Orvis endorsed travel destinations worldwide; and the Orvis Sandanona shooting preserve in Millbrook, NY, a premier wingshooting venue.

   An avid fly fisherman and wingshooter. Dave sits not only on the TRCP’s board but on the board of The Ruffed Grouse Society and is Past President of the Southern Vermont Chapter of Trout Unlimited. In addition, Dave is involved with The Nature Conservancy, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the Coastal Conservation Association and the National Forest Foundation.

   Dave is a graduate of Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.

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   Featured Corporate Supporter

   America’s oldest gun maker, Remington Firearms
   

   Remington, the oldest gun maker in the country, is a company whose name is synonymous with fine American craftsmanship and manufacturing. Remington is a strong supporter of the TRCP, which presents a natural extension of Remington’s long-standing commitment to conservation, which it sees, along with the company’s commitment to supporting youth organizations, as