Photo Credit: Dusan Smetana
Access means nothing without healthy habitat and clean water to support the wildlife and fish we love to pursue. We are fighting for meaningful policy change that benefits these critters, our waters, and the American landscapes that are unique in all the world.
Hunters and anglers have been the primary champions of wildlife habitat and healthy waterways since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. But with more competing demands on our natural resources than ever before, we can’t afford to take for granted what we have: A public lands network that is unparalleled in all the world, the best-managed fish and wildlife populations of any nation, and the ability for all Americans to hunt and fish, regardless of class or economic status. It is a system that benefits everyone, from sportsmen to hikers to those who simply want to drink clean water or experience wide open spaces.
Like other small but critically important forage fish, Atlantic menhaden play a central role in the marine food web. But they are not currently managed with this in mind.
Since 2001, a series of Supreme Court decisions and administrative actions have blocked some implementation of the Clean Water Act, leaving half of the nation’s stream miles at risk of pollution and destruction. Wetlands have also been lost at an alarming rate.
The future of 71 million acres of BLM public lands is being decided as the agency develops local land use plans across the West. This is the last great opportunity for sportsmen to conserve our best hunting and fishing areas.
The sagebrush sea is home to many species that sportsmen love to pursue, including pronghorns, mule deer, elk, and sage grouse. In fact, conservation efforts to benefit the greater sage grouse are also good for more than 350 species across 11 Western states.
Because deer hunters contribute heavily to conservation through the purchase of licenses and gear, this disease could have major impacts on funding to improve fish and wildlife habitat.
Because recreational fisheries have unique conservation needs, recreational fishermen want alternatives to traditional federal policies designed to manage commercial fishing.
The Sportsmen’s Values Mapping Project captures input from local hunters and anglers on the areas they value most for hunting and fishing. The resulting maps could help land managers make important decisions about conservation.
Congress needs to pass a new Farm Bill that incentivizes landowners to create habitat and walk-in access for sportsmen and women. The resulting boost to hunting and fishing opportunitis will help drive outdoor recreation spending in the rural areas that need it most.
We cannot allow vital big game habitat to be compromised by making hasty decisions about oil and gas development. Ask the BLM to look before they lease.
TAKE ACTIONMake sure your lawmakers hear from you about the habitat and clean water issues that matter. Take action below—it only takes a few clicks to send your legislator an email or tweet. And be prepared to hold them accountable for their votes. Sign up for TRCP email alerts to be the first to know about upcoming challenges and what you can do to help. Then get outside and take advantage of the best-managed fish and wildlife populations in the world. Take plenty of photos and share them with us @theTRCP.
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