2006 Annual Report - Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

About the AssociationA Year in Review: 2 0 0 6 A C C O M P L I S H M E N T SMarch 26: The Association holds the “Symposiumon Wind Energy Development and Wildlife.” Wind energyshows promise as a carbon free energy source. However,it is not without conflict as it leaves it’s footprint on wildlifehabitats. In order to encourage more engagement bywildlife agencies and non-government organizations,the Association held a symposium at the 2006 NorthAmerican Wildlife and Natural Resources Conferencein Columbus, Ohio.The Symposium provided a much needed first steptowards a better understanding of the current state ofwind energy technology, the sequential steps typicallyimplemented during development, and the best availablewildlife science related to wind power. The Symposium waswell attended, with standing room only, and well receivedas a source of much needed information.July 8: The Associationsends five staterepresentatives to Peruto work with the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service onConvention on InternationalTrade in EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna andFlora (CITES) conservationcommittees.Sept. 18: Association holds a nationalcommunications workshop “Wild Encounters:Turning Wildlife Conflict Into Winning MediaCoverage” to provide tools for talking to themedia about human/wildlife interface.• The Association intervenes in federal court on national andregional fish and wildlife issues affecting its membership.• Association members and staff participate in advisingand testifying on Capitol Hill and in developing coalitionsto support needed conservation legislation.• The Association participates in developing internationaltreaties, laws, regulations and policies concerning thewelfare of North America’s fish and wildlife.• The Association works across the international boundariesof Canada and Mexico to help coordinate border-state fishand wildlife management.• The Association works with members and partnersto develop and implement programs for conservation,education and fish and wildlife recreation.• The Association leads the “Teaming with Wildlife” Coalitionof more than 5,000 organizations to expand on funding toprevent fish and wildlife from becoming endangered.Jan. 31: Under Sikes Act,the Association signs a jointagreement with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service andthe Department of Defenseto better manage wildlife onmilitary installations.March 1: Teaming withWildlife launches a newthree-year campaign tofind greater funding forwildlife conservation.May 1: The Associationintroduces its newname, website, logo andoutreach materials.Sept. 17: Associationholds its 96th AnnualMeeting in Snowmass,Colorado with a record740 attendees.Sept. 20: TheAssociation hosts anational workshop to helpstate agencies find waysto find funding for theirstate wildlife action plans.Nov. 7: The Association, as partof the Natural Resources MonitoringPartnership, launches a new hightechdatabase and mapping systemfor comprehensive monitoring.JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBERMarch 7: The Associationlaunches new national“Trapping Best ManagementPractice Guides.May 4: Teaming withWildlife submits bipartisanletter with signatures from anunprecedented 170 Houserepresentatives and 56senators urging an increasein funding for the StateWildlife Grants Program.Sept. 17: TheAssociation hostsfirst ever nationalworkshop on DeerImmunocontraception,a forum of federal andstate dialogue.Nov. 3: The Associationhelps launch the first classof the National ConservationLeadership Institute,preparing 36 future leadersto cope with growing fishand wildlife challenges.Dec. 29: The Association celebrates the reauthorization of theMagnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.Jan. 13: The Association submitsa brief to the Supreme Court arguingto uphold Clean Water Act protectionof headwater wetlands and streams.April 24: The Associationhelps launch the NationalFish Habitat Action Plan,a landscape-scale effortto conserve and enhancethe nation’s waterways.June 30: TheAssociation names formerActing Assistant Secretaryof the Department ofInterior, Matt Hogan, as thenew executive director.July 31: Association pastPresident, John Cooper andcurrent President, Ed Parkernamed two of 20 national boardmembers to guide the NationalFish Habitat Action Plan.The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies applauded thePresident’s signing of the reauthorization of the nation’s primarymarine fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservationand Management Reauthorization Act of 2006. The Association’smember agencies and partners have waited 10 years for thereauthorization, and expect that this new legislation will play animportant role in helping sustain a diverse array of marine life andtheir habitats, while allowing continued sustainable use of valuableaquatic resources. Throughout this reauthorization, the Associationhas been impressed by the work of numerous lawmakers committedto improving the science-based management of our Nation’s marinefisheries. We also recognize particularly their strong interests inpromoting more effective implementation and enforcement of fisherymanagement plans.The act was actually signed into law in January of 2007, but had beendeveloped through the work of the 109th Congress.The Association, and the state fish and wildlife agencies it represents,are part of a coalition facilitated by the Theodore RooseveltConservation Partnership (TRCP) that represents recreational anglers,the sportfishing industry and conservation groups to establish the“SALT Principles,” (Science, Allocation, Licensing and Tackle) whichoutlined consensus-based recommendations for addressing marinefishery problems and opportunities. For additional information aboutthe SALT Principles, go to: www.angling4oceans.org.8 Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 2 0 0 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 2 0 0 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T 9

Education, Outreachand StewardshipConservation Education StrategyConservation education is one of the most vital toolsfor shaping long-term conservation and enjoyment offish and wildlife resources. The Association’s membersoffer a variety of programs to educate children andadults about the conservation of fish, wildlife and othernatural resources, but until recently, there was no onenational strategy for conservation education. In 2005,the Association decided to strengthen and unify theconservation education efforts of its member agenciesand partners and in March 2005, approved theAssociation’s North American Conservation EducationStrategy. Now that the Strategy is well underway,the Association is shifting to supporting effectiveimplementation and turning the strategic visioninto action.In 2006, the Association received a three-year MultistateConservation Grant to help implement the Strategy, ledby the Conservation Education Working Group. Theresult of this project will be to implement the Strategyand work to unify and strengthen conservation educationefforts of the Association’s member agencies and partners.Trapping Best Management PracticesAs wildlife management agencies across the nationcontinue to face challenges with managing furbearerspecies, it is critical that they have the best informationon trapping, allowing them to maintain regulatedtrapping as a viable wildlife management tool. Tosupport this need, in 2006 the Association introducedeight new Trapping Best Management Practiceeducation guides that focus on animal welfare,efficiency, selectivity, practicality and safety.Based on the most extensive study of animal trapsever conducted in the United States, Trapping BestManagement Practices (BMPs) are based on scientificresearch and professional experience of currentlyavailable trap technology. They provide options tosupport trapper discretion and decision-making inthe field and provide the infrastructure and criteriato improve trapping methods in the future.The Association plans to release four new BMPs in 2007.The BMP educational guides can be found online atwww.fishwildlife.org under the Programs section.Developing Tomorrow’s LeadersAccording to recent research, about 77 percent of statefish and wildlife agency senior leadership will retirebetween 2004 and 2015, but the nation’s conservationorganizations—including the Association of Fishand Wildlife Agencies—are not waiting around tofind out what happens when they leave. In 2006, 36of the nation’s future natural resource conservation“future leaders” were selected for the first fellowships“ Seventy-five percent oftoday’s fish and wildlifeleaders will retire in thenext 10 years. We haveto prepare for this changeproactively, by trainingtomorrow’s leaders today.”— Ken Haddadd, Executive DirectorFlorida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commissionof the National Conservation Leadership Institute.The National Conservation Leadership Institute wascreated to train tomorrow’s conservation leaders in thelatest leadership thinking and practice, and each Fellowlearned from the nation’s most influential conservationleaders and leadership experts including Marty Linsky,co-author of the book, Leadership on the Line.Offered each year to a select group of individuals identifiedas “high potentials”, the Institute is by no means only atraining program; it is a unique comprehensive learningexperience designed to challenge assumptions, teachskills, facilitate networking, and strengthen confidence,preparing extraordinary leadership for the future.Each Fellow was chosen for potential to build effectivecoalitions, lead organizational change, and deliverresults as well as for their work experience and goals.This year, the Institute trained 22 state fish and wildlifeemployees, six federal conservation agency employees,two tribal members, three industry employees and threenon-governmental agency employees during a 10-monthperiod on priority leadership challenges and solutions.The Association played a lead role in realizing this effort.Developing leadership in our agencies requires adifferent approach to meeting the many challengesof the state fish and wildlife agencies. Developing isbuilding, and building takes tools. The Association’sManagement Assistance Team (MAT) has providedthe tools in the form of leadership courses and manyresources. Some employees are taking one or more ofthe six online leadership courses in virtual classroomswith employees from other state fish and wildlifeagencies. Each state uses these tools in different ways.Other tools available to states are the nine face-to-facecourses. Some states are taking advantage of the toolbox’sconsulting services or other expertise on leadershipdevelopment and workforce succession planning.In 2007, MAT will continue to work with many stateagencies on leadership development and successionplanning.Recognizing Our MembersEach year, many fish and wildlife agencies, organizations and individuals partner with the Associationof Fish and Wildlife Agencies to help fulfill its mission to be the “voice of fish and wildlife agencies.”The Association benefits greatly from these relationships, making it possible for the Association tofocus on finding new ways to strengthen conservation and wildlife management initiatives.State Fish and Wildlife Agency MembersAlabama Division of Wildlife & Freshwater FisheriesAlaska Department of Fish and GameArizona Game and Fish DepartmentArkansas Game and Fish CommissionCalifornia Department of Fish and GameColorado Division of WildlifeConnecticut Department of Environmental ProtectionDelaware Division of Fish and WildlifeFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionGeorgia Wildlife Resources DivisionHawaii Department of Land and Natural ResourcesIdaho Fish and Game DepartmentIllinois Department of Natural ResourcesIndiana Department of Natural ResourcesIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKansas Department of Wildlife and ParksKentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesMaine Department of Inland Fisheries & WildlifeMaryland Department of Natural ResourcesMassachusetts Division of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & ParksMissouri Department of ConservationMontana Department of Fish, Wildlife & ParksNebraska Game and Parks CommissionNevada Department of WildlifeNew Hampshire Fish and Game DepartmentNew Jersey Division of Fish and WildlifeNew Mexico Game and Fish DepartmentNew York Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine ResourcesNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionNorth Dakota Game and Fish DepartmentOhio Division of WildlifeOklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationOregon Department of Fish and WildlifePennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionPennsylvania Game CommissionRhode Island Division of Fish and WildlifeSouth Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesSouth Dakota Game, Fish & Parks DepartmentTennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesVermont Department of Fish and WildlifeVirginia Department of Game & Inland FisheriesWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeWest Virginia Division of Natural ResourcesWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentSuccess StoriesAre You AWARE?America’s Wildlife Association for ResourceEducation (AWARE) is the 501-(c)3 foundationof the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.A hundred percent of all contributions to theAWARE Foundation go toward ensuring thateducation will help carry the good work of theconservation community for generations tocome.Some programs supported in part by AWAREinclude, the North American ConservationEducation Strategy, Teaming with Wildlife andan annual small grants program for the states.12 Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 2 0 0 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 2 0 0 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T 13

Executive Directorand StaffChanging Face of ConservationIn August of 2006, the Association of Fish and WildlifeAgencies named Matt Hogan the new ExecutiveDirector. Prior to his work with the Association, Hoganwas the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Departmentof the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.“It is a great honor to accept this position. The Associationof Fish and Wildlife Agencies is one of our country’smost successful wildlife conservation organizations. I lookforward to working with North America’s fish and wildlifeagencies, conservation partners, and an incredible staffin continuing the Association’s outstanding tradition,”said Hogan.For more than a month, Hogan worked alongsidethe then Executive Vice President, John Baughman.Baughman left the Association to return to hishome state of Wyoming on September 27.“Having worked with Matt, I know his policy andleadership experience, skills, and his knowledge of fishand wildlife issues will be an asset,” said John Cooper,Cabinet Secretary of South Dakota Game, Fish, and ParksDepartment and the former President of the Associationof Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “John Baughman hasraised the bar, and when he leaves, it will be challengingto fill his shoes. However, Matt’s long-term interest in theAssociation, and his ties with many of its members willbe his strong suit.”StaffHogan has more than 18 years working in wildlifemanagement and conservation in the Washington, D.C.policy arena. In the last four years, he held key leadershiproles for both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)and U.S. Department of the Interior. As Acting AssistantSecretary of Interior he oversaw both the USFWS andNational Parks Service. He previously served as ActingDirector and as Deputy Director of the USFWS.Committees, Subcommittees and Working GroupsThe Association maintains more than 60 nationalcommittees, working groups and subcommittees composedof more than a thousand professionals from the UnitedStates, Canada and Mexico. Each committee is led by statefish and wildlife agency leaders, and is often responsible forthe creation of important national conservation action.The Association’s committees meet for one week twice ayear (March and September), where they share information,Agricultural ConservationAngler/Boating ParticipationAnnual Meeting/Awards/NominatingAssociation BudgetAuditBird ConservationEducation/Outreach/DiversityEnergy & Wildlife PolicyFederal & Tribal RelationsFish & Wildlife HealthFish & Wildlife Trust FundsFisheries/Water Resources PolicyHunting/Shooting Sports ParticipationInternational RelationsInvasive SpeciesLaw EnforcementLeadership/Professional DevelopmentLegalLegislative/Federal BudgetNational GrantsResolutionsScience and ResearchStrategic IssuesSustainable Wildlife UseTeaming with WildlifeTechnologies & Data UtilizationThreatened/Endangered Species PolicyWildlife Resource PolicyAquaculture Drug ApprovalBiofuelsCITES TechnicalClimate ChangeCoal, Oil and SandsCommodityConservation ComplianceConservation Reserve ProgramConservation Securities ProgramDove/Lead ToxicosisEnvironmental Quality IncentivesFederal Aid Joint Task ForceForestryField Office Techincal GuideFarm and Ranchland ProtectionProgramprovide updates and decide their goals for the year. At theend, each committee chair gives a brief report of actions tothe entire membership during the Association’s BusinessMeeting. In turn, this affects the Association’s StrategicPlan and influences the collective statefish and wildlife agency agenda.Grassland Reseve ProgramHuman and Wildlife ConflictLandowner Incentive ProgramMigratory Shore and UplandGamebirdNational Flyway CouncilNational Fish Habitat BoardNon-toxic AmmunitionOffshore Gas and OilOnshore Gas and OilPresident’s Committee on CleanWater Act JurisdictionsPartners in Flight/ Shorebird/WaterbirdPublic AccessResident Game BirdTransmission CorridorsTechnical Service ProviderWaterfowlWildlife Habitat Incentives ProgramWind PowerWetlands Reserve ProgramCarol BamberyAssociation CounselRachel BrittinPublic Affairs DirectorRebecca BrookeTeaming with WildlifeCommunications andCoalition AssociateDave ChadwickTeaming with WildlifeWildlife Diversity SeniorAssociateNaomi EdelsonTeaming with Wildlife &Wildlife Diversity DirectorJake FaibischManagement Assistance TeamProject LeaderEstelle GreenAdministrative AssistantDebbie HahnMigratory Bird CoordinatorJeff JohnstonAWDS Coordinator/WebmasterDon MacLauchlanInternational Resource DirectorGina MainManagement Assistance TeamGraphics/Production CoordinatorWendy MansfieldChief Financial OfficerMelissa McCormickManagement Assistance TeamProject CoordinatorJennifer MockFarm Bill CoordinatorAngela Rivas NelsonExecutive AssistantAmber PairisScience and Research LiaisonDonna ReeveManagement Assistance TeamAdministration AssistantSean RobertsonTeaming with WildlifeCommunications andCoalition AssociateEric SchwaabResource DirectorLiz SkipperAdministrative AssistantGary TaylorLegislative DirectorLen UgarenkoNorth American WaterfowlManagement Plan CoordinatorBryant WhiteFurbearer Research CoordinatorChristina ZarrellaMultistate Grants Coordinator“ As chair of the AgriculturalConservation Committee, I consultwith dozens of other fish andwildlife leaders to ensure that mystate has the best science-basedknowledge, practices and tools totake action at home.”— Jeff Vonk, Secretary of South Dakota Game,Fish and Parks Department16 Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 2 0 0 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T