Last week, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted the 19the Annual NASC Legislators and Athletes Summit in stunning Bozeman, Montana. The NASC Athletes and Legislators Summit is the only national conference for state legislators dedicated to advancing America’s hunting, fishing, recreational shooting and trapping heritage. The theme of this year’s event was Force Multiplier: Harnessing the combined power of state legislative committees of athletes and the sports community. The conference, which is CSF’s premier state legislative event, provided an immersive 4-day experience with speakers from the Congressional Athletes Caucus (CSC), Governors Athletes Caucus (GSC), NASC Executive Council, state agencies fish and wildlife, conservation policy organizations and outdoor industry partners, among others.
Topics covered at this year’s event included, among others, differences in wildlife management in the Americas and Europe, poaching, wolf management, timber management, invasive species, the Law of Endangered Species, Restoration Funding and much more. In addition to educational sessions, regional gatherings, and Executive Council meetings, the Summit also featured group demonstrations, an auction and raffle, outdoor sports activities, and an awards ceremony. Keynote speakers at this year’s event included Montana Governor and GSC member Greg Gianforte; Joshua Millspaugh, University of Montana; Tom Opre, Wildlife Herders Society; and Michael Robinson, Farming the Wild. Additionally, conference attendees received addresses from Montana Senators and CSC members Senator Steve Daines and Senator Jon Tester.
“Athletes are the backbone of conservation in the United States, and Montana is proud to host like-minded legislators and advocates from across the country for this summit.” Governor Gianforte said. “As states continue to manage and conserve our wildlife and landscapes, it is important that we build connections, and the NASC Lawmakers and Sportsmen Summit provides that opportunity.”
On the final night, at the Awards Dinner and Ceremony, the CSF States Program Team presented awards to individual legislators and groups that had contributed to advancing conservation policy and achieving the goals of the NASC network. Award winners included:
- NASC Regional Heritage Award
- Southeast – Del. James Edmunds (VA)
- Midwest – Rep. Tim Taylor (MO)
- Northeast – Senator Trey Stewart (ME)
- West – Representative Perry Will (CO)
- Northeast – Senator Trey Stewart (ME)
- Midwest – Rep. Tim Taylor (MO)
- Southeast – Del. James Edmunds (VA)
- NASC Friends Awards
- Coastal Conservation Association
- State Agency of the Year
- Arizona Department of Fish and Game
- Outgoing EC Member Awards:
- Representative Brad Witt, 2017 – 2022
- Senator Mark Allen, 2019 – 2022
- Representative Brian White, 2012 – 2022
- Senator Mark Allen, 2019 – 2022
- Representative Brad Witt, 2017 – 2022
- Brad Rowse Award:
“Since 2013, I have had the honor of serving on the NASC Executive Council. Over the past 9 years, I have been fortunate to work with some of the most talented and passionate people in conservation, and for me, this award is a reminder of all the good work we accomplished together. said Rep. Brian White. “NASC is a unique organization because it brings together legislators from across the aisle to educate and promote sound policy. As a hunter and fisherman, serving as NASC President has been an extremely fulfilling opportunity, and I believe our work has benefited not only South Carolinians, but American athletes in general. Thank you CSF for giving me this award, and I look forward to seeing what great things are in store for NASC, CSF, and the future of sports conservation.”
Also at the Ceremony, the new members of the Executive Council were revealed and the host state and location of the 2023 Summit were announced; will take place in vibrant Dewey Beach, Delaware. The 2023 NASC Executive Council will be comprised of:
- President: Representative Jeff Goley (NH)
- Vice president: Representative Bill Rehm (NM)
- Secretary: Representative Jeff Wardlaw (AR)
- Member: Senator Jack Bailey (MD)
- Member: Senator Robin Webb (KY)
- Member: Senator David Wilson (AK)
- Member: Representative Scott Bounds (MS)
- Member: Representative Pat Brennan (VT)
- Member: Representative Bobby Cox (SC)
- Member: Representative Casey Snider (UT)
- Member: Representative Steve Wood (ME)
- Member: Representative Jerome Zeringue (LA)
- Alternate Member: Representative Danny Crawford (AL)
- Alternate Member: Representative Bob Freeman (TN)
- Alternate Member: Representative Kevin Wallace (OK)
CSF would like to thank all the sponsors who made the 19the Annual Summit of NASC Legislators and Sportsmen possible, including title sponsors: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s; National Shooting Sports Foundation; Richard Childress Racing; International Safari Club; and Vista Outdoor, Inc.
Founded in 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is the informed authority on outdoor issues and serves as the primary conduit for influencing public policy. Working with the Congressional Athletes Caucus (CSC), the Governors Athletes Caucus (GSC) and the National Assembly of Athletes Caucus (NASC), CSF gives a voice to hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and hunters on Capitol Hill and in all state capitals. advocate for vital outdoor issues that are the backbone of our nation’s conservation legacy. For more information on CSF’s policy work, visit www.congressionalsportsmen.org.