Hunting, Fishing Groups Release Statement on 30 by 30 Concept

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Today, National Wild Turkey Federation joins the voices of the nation’s leading hunting, fishing and habitat conservation organizations to support the Thirty by Thirty Initiative (30 by 30 Initiative) to establish a goal of placing 30% of the planet’s lands and waters under protected status by the year 2030.

Given the historic and ongoing role that hunters and anglers have played in land, water, fish, and wildlife conservation in the United States, the Hunting and Fishing Community Statement expresses support for:

• Recognizing the positive role that hunting and fishing play in conservation;
• Protected area definitions that allow for well-managed and sustainable wildlife-dependent activities;
• Consideration of existing protected areas and other management strategies that achieve biodiversity conservation in measuring progress toward stated goals;
• Targeted, science-based conservation measures developed through a stakeholder-driven process to address biodiversity threats; and
• Clearly defined roles and authorities for the entities charged with carrying out the 30 by 30 Initiative proposal.

“Protection of America’s lands and waters is something that should be important to every sportsperson,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “As these protections are considered, it is essential that the benefits of active management are recognized for biodiversity. It is also critical that regulated hunting and fishing be allowed to continue where appropriate. Not only is regulated hunting and fishing compatible, but at times essential for managing biodiversity and ensuring sportspersons’ support. Sportsmen and sportswomen have always been champions of conservation for all species and habitats.”

Coming on the heels of recently released reports identifying global threats to biodiversity, the 30 by 30 Initiative aims to generate support for increasing targets for global land and water protection prior to a meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), currently scheduled for May of 2021. Established in 1993, the CBD is an international treaty with three primary objectives: 1) The conservation of biological diversity; 2) The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity and; 3) The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

In response to the rollout of the 30 by 30 initiative, this coalition has assembled to ensure the interests and contributions of sportsmen and sportswomen are part of the process. Although the United States is not a party to the treaty, U.S. elected officials at the local, state and federal levels have announced efforts to establish or express support for the goals of the 30 by 30 Initiative in recent months.

Concurrent with the release of the Community Statement, signatories also announced establishment of a website, HuntFish3030.com, to provide hunters and anglers with information about the 30 by 30 Initiative and a petition providing hunters and anglers the opportunity to make their voice heard as elected officials consider policy proposals related to the Initiative.

Original signatories to the Hunting and Fishing Community Statement include the American Sportfishing Association, American Woodcock Society, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Center for Sportfishing Policy, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society, Safari Club International and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative – a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting. For more information, visit NWTF.org.