Celebrating 75 Years of Cooperation for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration
- ADF&G Press Release

Cora Campbell, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Phone: (907) 465-6166 - Fax: (907) 465-2332

Press Release: January 17, 2012

Contact: USFWS, Bruce Woods (907) 786-3695; ADF&G, Lisa Evans (907) 267-2330

Celebrating 75 Years of Cooperation for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) join the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), and other partners at the 2012 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference (2012 SHOT show) to announce the start of a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), one of the most significant and successful partnership approaches to fish and wildlife conservation in U.S. history.

In Alaska, ADF&G received almost $34 million dollars through such programs in 2011; including $15,264,514 in Wildlife Restoration funding and $18,234,739 through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. These dollars, combined with annual hunting and fishing license revenues, fund fish and wildlife management, research, education and public access work done by ADF&G.

“WSFR has proven to be one of the most successful fish and wildlife restoration and management programs in the world,” said ADF&G Commissioner Cora Campbell. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the sportsmen and women who purchase annual Alaska hunting and fishing licenses as well as the hunting, fishing, shooting and boating industries for their role in providing funding to ensure that current and future generations will continue to enjoy Alaska’s abundant fish and wildlife resources.”

“Hunters and anglers were America’s first conservationists, and they continue to fund the bulk of efforts in our state and across our nation to benefit fish and wildlife,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Regional Director Geoffrey L. Haskett. “These men and women provide dedicated, critical funding for state fish and wildlife agencies through the Dingell-Johnson and Pittman-Robertson Programs. These funds support projects that aid both game and nongame species, and benefit everyone who enjoys the Alaska outdoors.”

The anniversary brings together federal and state fish and wildlife agencies; the hunting, shooting, angling, and boating industries; and conservation groups to acknowledge our common goals and successes resulting in 75 years of quality hunting, fishing, shooting, boating and wildlife-related recreation. This milestone occasion also marks the beginning of a new era in wildlife conservation during which we will work to establish new goals for sparking awareness and fostering and maintaining avenues that benefit conservation and outdoor recreation for the next 75 years, and beyond.

For more information about the WSFR program and its 75th Anniversary in 2012, visit:

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