By Abdullahi Lukman
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced more than $1.2 billion in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration apportionments to support states, commonwealths and territories in funding conservation programmes and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
The funding, generated from federal excise taxes on ammunition, firearms, archery and angling equipment, as well as fuel and small engine taxes paid by manufacturers, will be distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies through grants managed by the Service’s Office of Conservation Investment.
The programme operates under the Pittman-Robertson Act and the Dingell-Johnson Act, a long-standing state-industry-federal partnership established nearly a century ago to promote the conservation of fish, wildlife and their habitats.
Since 1937, the initiative has disbursed more than $31 billion to support wildlife monitoring and management, hunter and aquatic education, and improved public access for hunting, fishing and boating.
Service Director Brian Nesvik said state wildlife agencies remain vital partners in conservation efforts, noting that the funding mechanism is regarded as one of the most effective conservation tools globally.
In addition to the federal allocations, partner agencies have invested over $10 billion of their own funds throughout the programme’s history.
Combined resources have supported the management of more than 800 species of wild mammals and birds, annual stocking of over one billion fish, and the operation of fish and wildlife disease laboratories nationwide.
The funding has also facilitated the maintenance of more than 800 target ranges, over 9,000 fishing access sites and the opening of more than 36 million acres of state land for hunting and angling activities, reinforcing federal support for state-led conservation and public land access.
