Jackelope --
We're writing with a special alert to those who may have a special interest in keeping humans involved in the management of fish and wildlife populations in our state, such as with hunting, fishing or wildlife watching.
A Draft Conservation Policy will be considered by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission at their upcoming June 22-24 meeting. The policy would discard the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) mission of conservation and adopt a narrow focus on preservation, allowing bureaucracy and over-precautionary ideals to override science.
Most worrisome, the draft policy ignores completely active management of populations and habitats and the vital role of land managers and natural resource users in fish, wildlife, and ecosystem conservation. If adopted, it would create conflict between people, hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers – conservation should unite rather than divide us.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission needs to hear your voice. Before June 22, please email the Commission today. Urge them to say NO to the Draft Conservation Policy.
Make your voice heard! Say NO to Fish and Wildlife's Draft Conversation Policy!
The potential harm of a drastic shift away from collaborative conservation to precautionary preservation cannot be understated.
The Draft Conservation Policy would discard the goal of conservation, which recognizes the need for sustainable management and use of natural resources.
Collaborative conservation efforts and partnerships – efforts that are already making a difference – are jeopardized by the Draft Conservation Policy.
The Draft Conservation Policy will create conflict and division by excluding stakeholders – seems to exclude landowner voluntary conservation actions and creates conflict between people, hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers.
You can learn more about the flaws in the Draft Conversation Policy and the potential harm it would do by clicking here where you can also send your message of opposition to this flawed and misguided policy.
Thank you for your effort on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Washington's Working Foresters
