2/13 SCBNA Policy Webinar #3: State Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife Conservation and Management: Crystal Ball Gazing
Join the SCBNA Policy Committee for the third webinar in our series focusing on the North American Model for Conservation & the work of state wildlife agencies. This session will explore the concept of “conservation,” cultural shifts regarding conservation in the USA, and future funding for state wildlife agencies. For more information on our speakers, please continue reading below: Presentation Topics & Speakers: *1) Words and Purpose Matter: What is “Conservation”?* Abstract: Disagreements over wildlife management often center on different perspectives of purpose and goals. Language used to describe purpose and set goals ought to be clearly defined and jointly understood among stakeholders and decision makers. Unfortunately, because language meanings differ, discussants often talk past each other, and consequently, consensus decisions rarely are reached, polarization among stakeholders grows, and agency progress grinds to a halt. Wildlife agencies would benefit by carefully defining key words and avoiding euphemisms. For example, I suggest redefining “conservation” — because of its paramount role in state wildlife agency work — with a contemporary purpose informed by current science, environmental contexts and the intergenerational connection to the public wildlife trust. This requires modifying the historic meaning that conservation is “science-informed actions to sustain the human use of resources,” the definition that remains operational for many agency managers, hunters and anglers. Such “wise use” definitions have limited agency purpose and from their adopting broader biodiversity goals. I offer a conservation definition for state wildlife agencies as a starting point for SCBNA discussion: *Conservation: Science-informed actions to preserve the health and resiliency of natural environments, safeguard the intrinsic value of non-human nature, and provide equitable benefits to current and future generations of people and other-than-human life. These actions include protecting and restoring air, soil, water, biological diversity, ecosystem processes and evolutionary potential*. Speaker: Fred Koontz, Retired State Wildlife Biologist & Policy Committee Member, SCB North America *2) The North American Model in the Context of Cultural Shift in the U.S.* Abstract: Policy institutions are a reflection of social values. In that regard, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is consistent with the prevailing utilitarian ideology of the time-period in which it was born. A century ago, wildlife were for harvest, and access was for all, not just the elite. Yet a remarkable transition of values in the U.S. has led to broad-based social change. This shift has created division and turmoil over topics ranging from presidential elections to how we manage wildlife. The shift was driven by the remarkable economic growth and subsequent modernization following World War II. It has changed the needs of people and the broad goals (i.e., values) that direct their behavior. In the case of wildlife management in North America, change was noticeable beginning in the 1970s when participation in hunting and fishing started to decline, a trend that has persisted to the present day. Our research shows that, at root, this change occurred due to a fundamental shift in values toward wildlife, from domination (animals are for human use) to mutualism (animals are part of our social community). The shift is associated with modernization and varies by state. In consideration of the implications of this change, we examined the broad array of benefits across different segments of the public that arise through human interactions with wildlife. The challenge for wildlife agencies will be in how to retain a consumptive focus while also embracing new programs and services that attend to the diversity of interests and desired benefits of the American public. Such a response is consistent with democratic principles and critical for creating a broad-based constituency, supportive of wildlife conservation, in the future. Speakers: Michael Manfredo, Professor, Colorado State University & Tara Teel, Professor, Colorado State University *3) State Wildlife Agency Funding: How can we ensure funding for all wildlife and all people?* Abstract: State fish and wildlife agency budgets fall vastly short of the needs of wildlife. Nearly all agencies still rely on hunting and fishing user fees, instead of support from all citizens who all benefit. It is time for greater and more diversified funding. Only then can our agencies fully meet the needs of all wildlife and all its citizens. Several states serve as models and we will explore the limits of current funding and recommend a path towards robust, reliable, diversified and public financing. Speaker: Naomi Ederson, Senior Director, Wildlife Partnerships, National Wildlife Federation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date/Time: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025, from 2-3:30 PM CST Register & Learn about this policy webinar here: https://scbnorthamerica.org/index.php/event/scbna-policy-webinar-state-wildlife-agencies-wildlife-conservation-and-management-crystal-ball-gazing/ Learn more about SCBNA: https://scbnorthamerica.org/ Thank you! Hope to see you there! SCBNA To unsubscribe from this list please go to https://community.esa.org/confirm/?u=RhPWqPxFwODKvbkiT32nkIqRrsiSgulp
