Issues
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Partnership is a coalition that represents a diverse collection of fish and wildlife organizations, and our topics of interest are equally diverse. Below are some of the issues that Partnership members have engaged in recently.
Click here to read our work in the 2025 Legislative Session
We are also focusing on the following issues:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission
The integrity of the Fish and Wildlife Commission has been a focus of the Partnership. Our goal is to help ensure that Commission members represent our community’s needs, prioritize science-based wildlife management, and maintain fish and wildlife harvest and consumption as a primary wildlife management tool along with other principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The Partnership works to:
- Ensure that the Governor-led appointment process for Commissioners is fair, balanced, and includes input from stakeholders including the Washington hunting and fishing community;
- Support science-based wildlife management decisions, including the management of predators like bear, cougar and wolves; and
- Support fisheries management decisions that promote and enhance recreational fisheries as well as recognize the value of hatcheries.
Funding for Habitat and Wildlife Conservation
Sportsmen and women have been central to funding fish and wildlife habitat for the past century. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 and the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 are examples of federal legislation created by hunters and anglers that generates funding for fish and wildlife through taxes on firearms, ammunition and sporting goods. The Partnership continues this legacy by supporting funding sources at the state and federal levels that fund local conservation efforts. This often times includes supporting grant programs, state appropriations, WDFW budget requests, and proposals that impact hunting and firearms and related conservation funding sources.
Fish and Wildlife Management Decisions
The Partnership participates in public meetings and comments regarding agency and legislative decisions that impact Washington’s fish and wildlife populations. Partnership organizations meet regularly through this coalition to discuss strategies and priorities. Members in turn speak up at hearings, send letters, and meet with decision makers to influence decisions on behalf of our natural resources.
Representing Hunters and Anglers
Public access and the right to hunt and fish are issues that the Partnership addresses through its member engagement and advocacy. As discussed above, hunters and anglers are the largest contributors to conservation and have a vested interest in the health of our fish and wildlife. The Partnership actively engages in legislation and rules related to hunting, firearms and ammunition, because these actions can impact hunter participation, license sales and firearms, and ammunition and equipment sales, which all directly impact conservation funding. Promoting our public lands and access to the places that anglers and hunters recreate is central to maintaining strong advocates for the future of our fish and wildlife.
Together we work together to promote conservation. We thank YOU for supporting our member organizations as listed here.
