The Boone and Crockett Club welcomed US Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Robert Bonnie’s announcement of a new funding commitment for big game migration corridor conservation on private lands in Idaho and Montana. In addition, the Department will expand the successful Working Lands for Wildlife initiative that targets funding for wildlife habitat conservation on working lands. The following is a statement from James L. Cummins, President of the Boone and Crockett Club.
“The Club has a long history of making sure private landowners have incentive-based programs for wildlife conservation. We are extremely appreciative of USDA Assistant Secretary Bonnie’s announcement of the increased USDA commitment to funding conservation of working lands that will support voluntary, incentive-based conservation efforts through her new Frameworks for Conservation Action. Directing $500 million to these Frameworks through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Farm Bill conservation programs, such as the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), will help farmers and ranchers to continue to improve their operations while benefiting fish and wildlife. who depend on these private lands.
In particular, we applaud the expansion of the big game migration corridor pilot project to now include not only Wyoming but also Idaho and Montana. As western big game species move across the landscape, they naturally ignore the boundaries between federal, state, tribal and private lands. Improving habitat along migration corridors will help ensure that these protein arteries continue to flow through the landscape with few barriers. Private landowners in the West are critical to this process and we greatly appreciate USDA’s financial commitment to support voluntary conservation efforts to sustain these iconic big game animals of the West.”
About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes the stewardship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair pursuit sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include the expansion and protection of Yellowstone and the establishment of Glacier and Denali National Parks, the founding of the US Forest Service, the National Park Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System, the fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey laws, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern gambling laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is based in Missoula, Montana. For more details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.