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Wildlife Management Reform to Keep Wildlife Out of the “Emergency Room”

May 27, 2025 | Reforming State Wildlife Management

A screenshot of the headline of the Stateline article featured in this blog post. The article, "Looking to Keep Wildlife Out of the ‘Emergency Room,’ States Expand Managers’ Role," delves into why wildlife management reform is necessary and how states are reevaluating their approaches to wildlife conservation in the face of mounting challenges like habitat loss, climate change, and declining biodiversity.

Wildlife Management Reform to Keep Wildlife Out of the “Emergency Room”

A screenshot of the headline of the Stateline article featured in this blog post. The article, "Looking to Keep Wildlife Out of the ‘Emergency Room,’ States Expand Managers’ Role," delves into why wildlife management reform is necessary and how states are reevaluating their approaches to wildlife conservation in the face of mounting challenges like habitat loss, climate change, and declining biodiversity.

Wildlife Management Reform for the 21st Century: Stateline Article Details States’ Plans to Keep Wildlife Out of the “Emergency Room”

In a recent feature by Stateline, Wildlife for All’s Executive Director, Dr. Michelle Lute, emphasized the urgent need to modernize state wildlife management systems. The article, “Looking to Keep Wildlife Out of the ‘Emergency Room,’ States Expand Managers’ Role,” delves into how states are reevaluating their approaches to wildlife conservation in the face of mounting challenges like habitat loss, climate change, and declining biodiversity.

Michelle highlighted the outdated nature of current wildlife management models, stating, “There’s definitely a growing awareness that the current management system is outdated and really unfit for 21st-century challenges.” She pointed out the overreliance on hunting and fishing license fees, which no longer suffice to fund comprehensive conservation efforts.

The article showcases New Mexico’s pioneering steps in overhauling its wildlife governance, including renaming its Department of Game & Fish to the Department of Wildlife and securing $10.5 million in new funding for threatened species. These reforms serve as a blueprint for other states aiming to create more inclusive and science-based wildlife management systems.

As more states recognize the need for change, Wildlife for All continues to advocate for policies that reflect the ecological realities of today and ensure the protection of all species for future generations.