North Carolina

The Commission:

  • Name: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
  • Regulatory or advisory: Regulatory
  • Number of voting members: 19
  • Term length: 6 years for Governor appointed district seats, staggered terms; 4 years for Governor appointed at-large seats, terms run concurrently with governor’s term; 2 years for General Assembly appointed seats, all run concurrently
  • How selected: 11 members appointed by Governor, 8 members appointed by General Assembly
  • Senate confirmation required: no
  • Additional info:
    • All members appointed by the Governor serve at the pleasure of the Governor that appointed them and they may be removed by that Governor at any time. A successor to the appointing Governor may remove a Commission member only for cause.
    • Members appointed by the General Assembly serve at the pleasure of that body and may be removed by law at any time.
  • Selection criteria per statute

“Each member of the Commission shall be an experienced hunter, fisherman, farmer, or biologist, who shall be generally informed on wildlife conservation and restoration problems. The Governor shall appoint one member each from the (nine) wildlife districts…The Governor shall also appoint two at-large members…The General Assembly shall appoint eight members of the Commission to serve two-year terms, four upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House, four upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate…Of the members appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House and upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, at least one of each shall be a member of the political party to which the largest minority of the members of the General Assembly belongs.”

  • From the Commission’s website

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is the state government agency created by the General Assembly in 1947 to conserve and sustain the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The NCWRC is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of North Carolina’s fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws.

The Agency:

  • Name: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
  • Type: Standalone agency
  • Title of Agency Director: Executive Director
  • Selection process: Appointed by the Wildlife Resources Commission
  • Mission statement from agency website

To conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters; other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation.”

Revenues:

† Other: Appropriations (12.8%), Vessel Revenue (14.3%)

†† Minor Other (no single source ≥10%): Interagency Transfers & Reimbursements, Sales and Services, Contributions, Gifts, Grants, Other.

Source: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/About/documents/Commissioners/COP-2021-FINAL.pdf?ver=7soX7rZJDKVBTHaoazysmA%3d%3d

Find Your State

America’s Wildlife Values was an extensive 2018 nationwide survey led by Colorado State University of public attitudes towards wildlife. Findings were compared with a 2004 survey to identify trends. Researchers also surveyed personnel at state wildlife agencies. Reports are available for national, state and agency results. (Some state agencies did not participate.)

State Report

Agency Culture Memo

National Report