Heads of Agriculture, Interior discuss policy priorities, economic challenges to conservation with board of directors of sportsmen’s group.
WASHINGTON – Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar and Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack met with the board of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership this week to discuss the challenges facing fish and wildlife conservation, public access to lands and waters, and funding cuts to programs key to hunting and angling.
“The investments in conservation historically made by American sportsmen and –women are substantial,” said TRCP Board Chair Katie Distler Eckman, “and we greatly appreciate the fact that the administration is acknowledging these contributions and demonstrating its commitment to working with hunters and anglers as we navigate this rocky terrain toward economic sustainability.”
During his remarks to the TRCP board yesterday, Secretary Salazar underscored the need to frame conservation by the funding challenges currently capturing the attention of Congress and the administration. He spoke positively about America’s Voice for Conservation, Recreation and Preservation, a coalition led in part by the TRCP that is committed to securing continued funding for conservation, outdoor recreation and historic preservation programs. A recently issued report cited by the AVCRP demonstrates that the outdoors and historic preservation generate more than $1 trillion in total economic activity and support 9.4 million jobs every year.
“From President Theodore Roosevelt’s bold steps to establish national parks, wildlife refuges and forests to President Obama signing the 2009 Public Lands Bill into law in his first days in office, America has a proud tradition of protecting the places that matters most to hunters, fishermen and our families,” said Secretary Salazar. “One in 20 U.S. jobs is in the recreation economy – more than there are doctors, lawyers or teachers. With the help of the TRCP and the support of sportsmen and businessmen across the country, the Obama administration is promoting investments in conservation that contribute to the economic growth of America.”
Secretary Vilsack, who met with the TRCP board this morning, reiterated the necessity for innovation in addressing budget constraints and economic challenges. The secretary emphasized the USDA’s commitment to demonstrating to businesses that investments in conservation will achieve profitable results.
“Outdoor recreation has an extraordinary capacity to create jobs, boost tourism and stimulate the economy,” said Vilsack. “Sportsmen’s voices will be critical to reinforce the fact that USDA is doing its part to uphold and expand outdoor opportunities and that these good programs do important things to protect the environment and improve the quality of life for people throughout the country.”
“Funding that upholds our natural resources and outdoor traditions equals a sound fiscal investment from which all Americans stand to gain,” stated TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh. “The administration’s support of key measures such as Open Fields and the Conservation Reserve Program achieve twin goals of conservation and economic sustainability. The TRCP and our partners value this clear dedication to sportsmen’s interests and look forward to continued opportunities to work together toward these goals.”
Learn more about the TRCP’s work in support of conservation funding.
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.
Learn about the local and state level clubs and organizations that work with the TRCP to guarantee all Americans a place to hunt and fish. Learn More
