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CONSERVATION CORNER
(For the week of March 15, 2010)
Hunting Advisory Council Established
by James L. Cummins

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack were joined by Governor Brian Schweitzer at a recent ceremony held at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. to announce the creation of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, an official advisory group under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

"Theodore Roosevelt understood the vital role that hunting plays in American life, as well as the importance of protecting lands and wildlife to sustain that tradition," said Secretary Salazar. "In the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, we are enlisting the help of hunters and anglers to help us confront the conservation challenges of our time so that our children and grandchildren can have the same opportunities to experience wildlife and the great outdoors that have been passed along, generation to generation."

"Today's conservation challenges demand that we all step forward and embrace the important work necessary to maintain and conserve the wildlife habitat and water resources that are so important to America's hunting and angling heritage," said Secretary Vilsack.

The new federal advisory Council will help to promote and preserve America's hunting heritage for future generations and also provide a forum for sports men and women to advise the federal government on policies related to wildlife and habitat conservation endeavors that: (a) benefit recreational hunting; (b) benefit wildlife resources; and (c) encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation community, the shooting and hunting sports industry, wildlife conservation organizations, the states, Native American tribes and the federal government.

"Hunters are some of our nation's most influential conservationists, and through their license and equipment purchases, they are foremost funders of state fish and wildlife agencies' programs to restore and safeguard wildlife and their habitats," said Ron Regan, director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Regan will serve as an ex-officio member of the council representing state wildlife agencies. Other groups and individuals will be appointed to serve on the Council.

The five federal agencies playing a key role in supporting and maintaining America's hunting heritage are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency. These organizations will appoint organizational members to the Council to provide additional support, guidance and coordination.