RENEWED PARTNERSHIP STRENGTHENS FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ON MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Washington D.C. (September 29, 2026)- The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) has renewed its cooperative partnership with the Department of War and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to strengthen coordination on the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and their habitats on military installations under the Sikes Act Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Under the Sikes Act, more than 350 military installations develop and implement Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) in collaboration with state fish and wildlife agencies and the USFWS. These plans guide natural resource conservation and management in ways that support and remain consistent with military readiness.
“Military installations play an important role in fish and wildlife conservation, often supporting some of the nation’s highest-quality habitats,” said Ryan Brown, Executive Director of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and President of the Association. “Through this partnership, we can help conserve these valuable natural resources while providing military personnel, their families, and the public with opportunities to enjoy hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation when compatible with the military mission.”
The renewed MOU builds on more than two decades of collaboration, innovation, and shared conservation accomplishments. It will advance priority fish and wildlife conservation efforts while promoting compatible public access and outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, when feasible and consistent with military readiness requirements.
The MOU also emphasizes the integration of newly revised State Wildlife Action Plans into INRMP planning and implementation. This coordination will help support the recovery of state- and federally listed species while advancing proactive conservation efforts for other at-risk species, helping reduce the need for future listings under the Endangered Species Act.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—the organization that represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies—promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook/AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife.
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