WASHINGTON, D.C. — The selection of U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) to serve as ranking member on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee shows the strong potential for conservation wins in the next session of the Congress.

“Representative Westerman’s selection to serve as the House Natural Resources Committee’s ranking member is good news for the committee’s common-sense approach to natural resource stewardship and wildlife conservation,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Representative Westerman understands that even at a time when polemics dominate our politics, conservation is one of the key areas where Congress has and will continue to make progress. We look forward to working with him, Chairman Grijalva, their Senate peers, and the Biden Administration to recover wildlife, conserve and restore our public lands, and responsibly steward our natural resources.”

“Representative Westerman has been a strong voice for wildlife and preserving our way of life — including our outdoor heritage and sporting traditions — for future generations,” said Charles “Trey” Buckner, III, president of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. “We’ve been proud to work with Representative Westerman on passing the Great American Outdoors Act and we look forward to working with him to advance increased conservation funding and other natural resource priorities in this new leadership role.”