The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and 40 other wildlife, conservation and/or sportsmen groups outlined their conservation priorities in a congratulatory letter to new Secretary of the Interior (DOI) Doug Burgum.
The American Wildlife Conservation Partners, of which RMEF is a member, created the multi-page document titled Wildlife for the 21st Century. Ranging from public access and conservation funding to wildlife health and active land management, it lays out nine recommendations for Congress and the Trump Administration.
The Senate approved Secretary Burgum as DOI secretary on January 30, 2025. An avid hunter, he joined RMEF in 2006.
Below is the letter sent to Secretary Burgum by the American Wildlife Conservation Partners.
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February 26, 2025
Doug Burgum
Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Secretary Burgum:
Congratulations on your recent confirmation as Secretary of the Interior. On behalf of the millions of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, conservationists and professionals our organizations represent, we are encouraged by your commitment to wildlife conservation and sportsmen and women’s public access issues.
To that end, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) recently finalized recommendations entitled Wildlife for the 21st Century, which will bolster fish and wildlife populations, enhance the conservation of America’s lands and waters, and provide crucial access opportunities for America’s tens of millions of sportsmen and sportswomen. These recommendations will also help ensure the wise use of our public resources, keeping America strong, sustainable, and healthy. We look forward to working with you make the recommendations contained in Wildlife for the 21st Century a reality to deliver on-the-ground conservation and access to benefit sportsmen and women across the country.
As you know, hunting, angling and fish and wildlife conservation are a driving force behind local and regional economies across our great nation. Recreational shooting, hunting, and angling generate $247 billion in economic output. Our organizations stand ready to work with you to build upon these benefits on behalf of current and future generations of Americans.
Thank you for your continued service on behalf of America’s conservation and outdoor heritage.
Sincerely,
American Sportfishing Association
American Woodcock Society
Archery Trade Association
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Boone and Crockett Club
California Waterfowl Association
Camp Fire Club of America
Catch A Dream Foundation
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Conservation Force
Delta Waterfowl
Ducks Unlimited
Houston Safari Club
Mule Deer Foundation
National Association of Forest Service Retirees
National Deer Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Wild Turkey Federation
National Wildlife Federation
North American Falconers Association
North American Grouse Partnership
Pheasants Forever
Pope and Young Club
Professional Outfitters and Guides of America
Public Lands Foundation
Quail Forever
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Safari Club International
Safari Club International Foundation
Sportsmen’s Alliance
Texas Wildlife Association
The Conservation Fund
The Wildlife Society
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Whitetails Unlimited
Wild Sheep Foundation
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Management Institute
Wildlife Mississippi
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)