News & Commentary
State wildlife agencies focus on ‘hook and bullet’ work. Some see a new path. Washington state aims for a broader conservation role.
This article by Alex Brown at Stateline looks at steps Washington State is taking to democratize and modernize its wildlife management, along the lines of Wildlife for All’s reform agenda.
NM Governor vetoes bill to overhaul Game Commission
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed a bipartisan bill passed by the NM Legislature that would have changed the way that the NM Game Commission was constituted and operated. The bill was backed by Wildlife for All and a broad coalition of groups, ranging from hunters to animal welfare advocates. The governor’s office has not offered an explanation for her veto.
Webinar: Beyond Wildlife Policy to Social Justice: Rethinking Wildlife Management in the U.S.
Join us for a one-hour introduction to Wildlife for All, a national campaign to reform wildlife management in the U.S. to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting all wild species and ecosystems.
Speakers Kevin Bixby (Wildlife for All) and Michelle Lute (Project Coyote) will explain how the current system of wildlife management is itself a barrier to achieving coexistence with wild creatures and meaningful biodiversity protection. They will discuss how this outdated and entrenched system is built on an ethic of domination and exploitation, with connections to other forms of injustice in our society.
You’ll be sure to learn things you didn’t know about the dark side of wildlife management in the U.S., and how Wildlife for All, Project Coyote and our coalition partners are working to transform the status quo to ensure that all species of wildlife are protected, and all voices are heard.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 11 am PST/2 pm EST
Hunting group recognizes Wildlife for All as leader of democratization effort
A national hunting group has identified Wildlife for All as the leader of efforts to democratize wildlife management in the U.S.
Hunting group files lawsuit against Washington wildlife commissioner, says more legal actions to come
By Eli Francovich
The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has sued WDFW Commissioner Lorna Smith, claiming that she is “pushing an extremist view of fish and wildlife management and is adamantly opposed to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.”
Since January, Governor Inslee has appointed 5 new members to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. These appointments have brought the commission to full strength, and Inslee has selected appointees who value and understand science and will help bring needed reforms to the department. But with progress comes opposition, and “the Sportsman Alliance plans to file more lawsuits in the near future against the WDFW commission.”
Read more in the Spokesman-Review
Are Butterflies Wildlife? Depends Where You Live
By Catrin Einhorn
“According to many state statutes, insects are not considered wildlife.”
Read more in The New York Times
State wildlife management: A crisis of legitimacy
By Charles Fox
“The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish supports itself by selling off the public’s wildlife for recreational killing. But the vast majority of New Mexicans who do not hunt or fish never agreed to this arrangement, and have virtually no say in how their wildlife is managed.”
“New Mexico needs a state wildlife agency focused on genuine conservation of wildlife and habitats, not underhanded exploitation. We need a state wildlife agency with a mission, methods, and agency culture that actually reflect our values. Without meaningful reforms, our wildlife faces a grim future.”
Read more in the Albuquerque Journal
Wildlife management in New Mexico needs modernizing
By Bryan Bird & Kevin Bixby
“The Department of Game and Fish is stuck in a time warp; it lacks the mission, authority and resources to protect New Mexico’s wildlife in the face of climate change and an extinction crisis.”
“The time for the department to pivot from being a relic of the past to a modern, wildlife conservation agency is long overdue. With the number of species moving toward extinction growing daily, the need is urgent. The Legislature needs to pass modernization and commission reform legislation while also approving license fee increases. It can do that with HB 184 and HB 486.”
Read more at the Santa Fe New Mexican
Game Commission reorganization should become law
By Christopher Smith
“House Bill 184 would improve the State Game Commission, the appointed body that oversees the Department of Game and Fish. The legislation, which already passed its first committee, would help create a commission that represents all New Mexicans and insulates wildlife policy decisions from political whims and financial influence.”
“During its first legislative hearing, HB 184 received support from hunters, anglers, outfitters, animal advocates and conservationists. When that spectrum of interests agrees on something, you know the proposal is meaningful, focuses on real and necessary change, and provides benefits across the ideological spectrum.”
Read more at the Santa Fe New Mexican
Bills aim to overhaul New Mexico Game and Fish management
By Nathan Brown
Two bills focused on reforming wildlife management were recently heard before a New Mexico House Committee. HB 183 would have abolished the state’s Game and Fish Department, while HB 184 would change the way that seats are allocated on the State Wildlife Commission. HB 183 was defeated, but HB 184 made it out of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee on a 6-3 vote.
“HB 184 would keep a seven-member commission but with one from each congressional district, plus a rancher or farmer, a conservationist, a hunter or angler and a scientist. [Commissioners] could not be removed ‘except for incompetence, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office,’ with the state Supreme Court given oversight over removals.”
“This bill would insulate the commission from political whims and add stability to the commission,” said Chris Smith.
Read more at the Santa Fe New Mexican