WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement applauding news that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded funding totaling $18,337,622 to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. This funding will be used to support wildlife restoration and outdoor recreation initiatives.
“Nevada’s diverse wildlife offers various opportunities for outdoor recreation and is a source of great pride for our state,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m glad to see that this funding will help to support the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s initiatives for fish and wildlife management, scientific research, habitat restoration and protection, acquisition of land and water rights, and hunting and fishing education. I will continue to be an advocate in Congress for Nevada’s environment and our expansive outdoor recreation economy.”
“The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program is one of the greatest conservation efforts we have, and despite its incredible success, it remains under–acknowledged,” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife. “Money to the states through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs helps leverage precious state resources to implement our conservation and recreation missions. We are lucky to have this partnership among manufacturers, outdoors enthusiasts, the States, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s the most innovative conservation program anywhere.”
BACKGROUND: This funding will be divided into the following Nevada Department of Wildlife initiatives:
- $12,176,969 – Wildlife Restoration Fund
- $6,160,653 – Sport Fish Restoration Fund
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program, which administers these funds, is a unique partnership between state wildlife agencies, the outdoor industry, and the Service. When hunters, anglers, and boaters purchase equipment and fuel, the manufacturers, producers, and importers of those goods pay into the Wildlife Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration, and Boating trust funds. These funds are distributed by the Service to ensure wildlife agencies in all states, commonwealths, and territories receive support.
State wildlife agencies dedicate WSFR funds to a variety of conservation projects and programs. Since WSFR’s inception, the Service has allocated $20 billion to state wildlife agencies to support hunting and fishing education, fish and wildlife management, scientific research, habitat restoration and protection, land and water rights acquisition, and hunting and boating access.
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