Gov. DeWine has restored professional management to the Ohio DNR, increased public land access, and supported the Recovering America's Wildlife Act
Our independent state affiliates form the backbone of the National Wildlife Federation’s work on hunting and fishing issues, including setting our policies each year at our Annual Meeting. From the passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act in 1937 to the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 2020, our ability to collaborate through long-term, trusted partnerships with our affiliates has been critical to our success in achieving conservation victories for our fish and wildlife. This blog comes from our Ohio affiliate, the Ohio Conservation Federation. - NWF Outdoors Staff
The Ohio Conservation Federation and the National Wildlife Federation presented Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine with a Fish & Wildlife Champion Award in a virtual ceremony this week.
“Being selected to receive the Champion of Fish and Wildlife Award is a great honor,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “As Governor, it has been incredibly rewarding to work with groups like the Ohio Conservation Federation and the National Wildlife Federation to accomplish great things for our environment, improve the quality and diversity of our natural resources, and provide places for sportsmen to enjoy the outdoors.”
The National Wildlife Federation and the Ohio Conservation Federation, its state affiliate, cited Gov. DeWine’s commitment to protecting Ohio’s diverse natural resources since taking office in 2019 as the main reason to present this award.
“Successful conservation efforts demand effective partnerships, clean water, productive lands, and forward-thinking vision,” said Matt Misicka, executive director of the Ohio Conservation Federation. “Under Governor’s DeWine’s leadership, each of these components has flourished to the future benefit of Ohio’s fish and wildlife, as well as our citizens and outdoor economy.”
Specifically, Gov. DeWine has increased funding and promoted professional scientific management at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; launched the H2Ohio program aimed at cleaning up Lake Erie and restoring wetlands; supported the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act; and secured the acquisition of 31,000 acres of public land for conservation and outdoor recreation.
“Governor DeWine is a champion for Ohio’s wildlife and wild places,” said Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We particularly appreciate his efforts to reclaim and conserve critical wildlife habitat, revitalize the Department of Natural Resources, and support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill to proactively fund efforts to restore populations of at-risk wildlife nationwide. We look forward to working with him to build on this momentum to expand outdoor recreational opportunities and restore the great waters of the Buckeye State, like Lake Erie and the Ohio River.”
“Conservation is a cause that must always entail looking towards the future,” Misicka added. “The Ohio Conservation Federation looks forward to continuing to work with Governor DeWine, his administration, and agencies to promote the wise use and stewardship of Ohio’s wildlife and natural resources.”
The mission of the Ohio Conservation Federation is to serve as the leading voice for sportsmen conservationists promoting the wise use and stewardship of Ohio's wildlife and natural resources.
The Great American Outdoors Act will fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund while investing in a backlog of public land maintenance, providing current and future generations the outdoor recreation opportunities like boat launches to access fishable waters, shooting ranges, and public lands to hunt as well as the economic stimulus we need right now.
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