A Forests-and-Flocks Focus on Policy

While all of the work the initiative is accomplishing is essential for conservation efforts in the Northeast, recent state and federal policy measures have illustrated that engaging in policy is vital. Through the initiative, the NWTF advocates for and rallies its membership in support of laws that bolster hunting participation, active habitat management, private-land access programs and more.

Forests and Flocks Initiative staff work closely with volunteers, partners and policymakers to identify and work through issues that impact wildlife management, land conservation and hunting rights. NWTF Forests and Flocks district biologists and education and outreach staff are the organization’s boots-on-the-ground mechanism for engaging in policy. 

“Policy issues can either threaten or benefit wildlife and their associated resources,” said Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist that cover Virginia and West Virginia for the Forests and Flocks Initiative. “It is crucial that NWTF members speak out in an informed manner to support and promote policy decisions that align with our mission.” 

District biologists work to facilitate the conservation goals of the Forests and Flocks Initiative. They build and maintain partnerships with state wildlife agencies to help conserve habitat on the state level and work with federal partners to get habitat work done on federal lands.

It is crucial for them to track state legislatures and policies that might arise and impact the NWTF’s ability to deliver habitat management on land of all ownerships. Sound policy creates the framework that allows conservation funding to flow, enables science-based wildlife management and opens access for hunters and recreationists.  

“Whether it's federal farm bill conservation programs or state-level hunting regulations, effective policy turns conservation plans into reality,” said Kaylee Szymanski, NWTF district biologist in New England. “As a district biologist for the NWTF in New England, policy plays a critical role in everything I do, from delivering habitat improvements on the ground to supporting healthy wild turkey populations across the region. That’s why it’s so important for our members to stay engaged with policy, too. They are the voice of conservation in their communities and help ensure lawmakers understand how these decisions impact our wildlife, habitat and hunting heritage.” 

Engaging in policy efforts that reduce barriers for hunters and positively affects hunting and shooting sports access across the region will allow for stronger R3 efforts. 

“Advocating for policy changes such as minimum age requirements, increased opportunity to hunt on Sundays and more are paramount to the success of R3, as they not only reduce the barriers to someone that wants to learn how to hunt, but also increases opportunities for those already in the field, regardless of if this is their second season afield or their 50^th,” said Jesse Warner, NWTF R3 hunting and shooting coordinator for the Northeast.  

For volunteers and members looking to get more involved, it’s easy. The first thing that our members can do is provide their email address when they sign up for an NWTF membership and when they register for events. This allows our team to keep members informed. 

“We send out action alerts, which inform our volunteers and members and gives them the opportunity to take the steps to reach out to their representatives,” said Doug Little, NWTF Eastern director of conservation operations. “We also have our government affairs website where members can stay tuned into state and federal priority issues. We can make a lot of progress if our members and volunteers do these things, which we’ve seen with the recent bills. It makes a difference.” 

Within the first year of the Forests and Flocks Initiative, there have already been several bills that have passed as a result of the NWTF’s engagement, including Connecticut and Pennsylvania's Sunday hunting bills. Another example from Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania NWTF State Chapter supporting HB1507. This bill would allow non-resident college students to purchase hunting licenses at the resident fee for up to 4 years while enrolled within Pennsylvania.  

“As hunters, conservationists and stewards of our heritage, we owe it to ourselves and to future generations to pay attention and be involved in policy issues which could have an impact on our way of life,” said Carter Heath, NWTF regional director for New England and eastern New York. “With the support of hunting in New England on the decline and the subsequent impact it could have on our Pittman-Robertson dollars, I would like to put out a call to action and challenge each and every one of you reading this to get involved in, at the very least, one issue which is important to you and will make a difference in the future of what we hold so dear.” 

NWTF has a small but effective policy staff and a large membership and volunteer base who are strongly committed to the NWTF's mission and proudly give their time to support it. This team of staff, volunteers and members represent a formidable force for influencing public policy decisions. 

“I hope to see us work more directly with legislators to come up with policy items not just for habitat management, but to maintain and enhance our fundraising models and R3 efforts,” Little said. “Instead of waiting for bills to pop up and then reacting to them, I hope to be more proactive and have strong relationships with lawmakers, so we can have the opportunity to make a positive change.”

Live in the Northeast and want to help move the NWTF’s policy needle forward? Here’s how.