AFWA Strategic Plan Poster - Association of Fish and Wildlife ...

Coordinationships2013-2015Strategic planThe Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is theprofessional association that serves as the collectivevoice of North America’s state, provincial andterritorial fish and wildlife agencies.Mission:To support and advocate for state, provincial andterritorial authority for fish and wildlife conservationand to assist those agencies in promoting sciencebasedresource management in collaboration withpublic and private partners.Fish & Wildlife FundingGOAL #2I N I T I AT I V E SPolicy & Legislative AdvocacyPromote policies, legislation, laws,regulations and legal strategies thatenhance and protect the memberagencies’ ability to conserve andmanage fish and wildlife resourcesand their habitats, consistent withthe North American Model ofWildlife ConservationGOAL #1Secure and sustaincomprehensive anddedicated fundingfor fish and wildlifeconservationInfluence theAdministrationEnhanceConservationActionsO b j e c t i v e sBuildCongressionalSupportSecureAuthorization/ReauthorizationProtect andEnhanceTrust FundsSecure Existingand NewAppropriationsLead/SupportFundingCoalitionsProtect StateManagementAuthoritySecure NewDedicatedFunding• Promote hunting, fishing and wildlife-associated recreation• Protect/enhance the Wildlife Restoration Fund and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund• Secure appropriations for conservation of habitat (Farm Bill, LWCF); migratory birds(NAWCA; Neotrop Act); fish (Magnuson-Stevens, NFHCA); NFWF; Forest Legacy; ESA• Improve evaluation/response to the U.S. Administration’s annual proposed federal budget• Prioritize formula-based over competitive funding• Secure funding to address new, emerging or nationally significant issues (i.e., energy, naturalresource adaptation strategies, invasive species, over-abundant species and fish/wildlife health)• Maximize fish/wildlife funding support by leading, facilitating and participating inconservation-based coalitions• Secure broader dedicated funding to address the full range of conservation mandates in the U.S.• Secure dedicated funding for State Wildlife Action Plan implementation• Protect state agency statutory authority for management of fish and wildlife resources within their borders• Promote state, provincial, territorial and federal agency understanding of authority and jurisdictional issues• Engage state legal advisors to establish comprehensive review and coordinated response of legal issues• Implement continuing legal education efforts for the Judiciary to enhance understanding of conservation issues• Strengthen support in Congress and the Administration for fish/wildlife excise tax laws• Strengthen support in Congress and the Administration for sound, science-based conservation needs• Increase director engagement in Congressional outreach opportunities• Enhance understanding and appreciation of the North American Model nationally and internationally• Promote state fish/wildlife interests in Congressional and Administration policies concerning the Clean Water Act• Secure authorization/reauthorization of key legislation (i.e., NAWCA; Neotrop Act; Sport Fish Restoration and Boating TrustFund; Magnuson-Stevens Act; Farm Bill; NFHCA; NFWF; Joint Ventures; ESA; Marine Mammals Protection Act)• Strengthen support in Congress and the Administration for wildlife diversity funding and the State Wildlife Grants Program• Improve coordination and efforts to provide comments on federal rulemaking and policies• Promote the establishment/implementation of wildlife disease and invasive species policies• Engage in international forums to protect and promote state, provincial and territorial authority,management and conservation policy; encourage sustainable use principles• Facilitate states’ implementation of the national fish, wildlife and plants climate adaptation strategy• Promote inclusion of fish/wildlife interests in national energy and climate change initiatives• Promote improved endangered species policy and implementation• Build broad-based partnerships between business, industry, conservationgroups and agencies for implementation of state wildlife action plans

Policy & Legislative Advocacyh & Wildlife Funding2013-2015Strategic planThe Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is theprofessional association that serves as the collectivevoice of North America’s state, provincial andterritorial fish and wildlife agencies.Vision:Healthy fish and wildlife populations andhabitats that are managed by state, provincialand territorial members for long-term publicbenefit, use and support.GOAL #4PartnershipsI N I T I AT I V E SMember Support & CoordinationSupport and facilitateeducation, participation,communication and leadershipcapacity for and among state,provincial and territorialagencies to enhance fishand wildlife conservationGOAL #3Coordinate and facilitatefish/wildlife conservationinitiatives among state,provincial, territorial, federalagencies and other partners,enabling conservationdelivery on a national andinternational scaleProvideCoordinationServicesO b j e c t i v e sSupportEmergingPartnershipsStrengthenOngoingPartnershipsImproveCommunicationsOrganizationalDevelopment &ManagementBuildInternationalPartnershipsSupportEducation& Outreach• Facilitate conservation-based partnerships and science-based practices with businesses;landowners; forestry; agricultural and tribal/aboriginal communities; and NGOs• Re-establish/improve state fish/wildlife agency partnerships within the Land Grant andSea Grant University System• Build partnerships and support to fund the National Conservation Leadership Institute• Expand coordination and engagement on marine/ocean policy• Strengthen agency-industry partnership and industry support for hunter/angler recruitmentand retention (e.g., through the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports,Industry-Agency Coalition, Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, SportFishing and Boating Partnership Council)• Support/facilitate member involvement in national and international conservationinitiatives (e.g., JVs; LCCs; Flyway Councils; NEAFWA/SEAFWA/MAFWA/WAFWA;Fish Habitat Partnerships; NABCI; Southern Wings; PARC)• Facilitate state agency coordination with federal agencies, including theFederal Aid and ESA Joint Task Forces• Strengthen and broaden the Teaming with Wildlife coalition and otherwildlife conservation initiatives• Build comprehensive, cross-border support for landscape-scale conservation,fish/wildlife disease and invasive species issues• Strengthen relationships between the U.S., Canada and Mexico• Support the North American Conservation Education Strategy• Increase member/public awareness of AFWA and member agency successes• Increase/facilitate the use of technological advances and social media• Improve member agency understanding of international programs, policiesand conservation initiatives• Increase participation in annual meetings, committees and organizational activities• Improve AFWA committee structure and function• Develop a formal succession plan for the AFWA Executive Committee, other committees and staff• Provide leadership and organizational development training and consulting to member agencies• Develop mechanisms for implementation, evaluation and reporting of the strategic plan• Enhance member states’ opportunities to strengthen Congressional and federal relationships• Improve mechanisms for member collaboration/coordination on emerging issues• Improve collaboration and communication among/by State Wildlife Action Plan coordinators• Manage the Multistate Conservation Grant Program; explore options forfunding the National Survey