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Hawai�i Wildlife Center recognized as the 6,000 National Teaming With Wildlife Coalition member

(Washington, DC)  The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies announced tin April 2009 that the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center is the 6,000th organization to join the national Teaming With Wildlife coalition.  The Hawai‘i Wildlife Center was incorporated in 2006 and is dedicated to the conservation and recovery of Hawaii’s native wildlife through hands-on treatment, research, training, science education and cultural programs.  Executive Director of the Center, Linda Elliott said "We are thrilled to be a member of the Teaming With Wildlife coalition. Successful conservation of Hawaii's unique wildlife requires effective collaboration with State resource agencies and many other partners."  The Center will be presented the award this summer.

Teaming Wildlife LogoThe Teaming With Wildlife coalition is the largest coalition of its kind and was formed in the early 1990’s to support dedicated funding for state-based wildlife conservation, education and outdoor recreation.  “Funding is needed to implement State Wildlife Action Plans that have been developed in every state and territory”, said Mark Humpert, Teaming With Wildlife Director.  The plans were collaboratively developed and are designed to address the needs of declining wildlife and to prevent future endangered species listings.  Paul Conry, Administrator for the State of Hawaii, Division of Forestry and Wildlife emphasized, "Hawaii has hundreds of species that are found no where else in the world and it is essential that we protect them for future generations.  We have made great gains in recent years, building our capacity to implement wildlife conservation programs, but strong coalitions and dedicated funding are essential to success so we are pleased to be joined by the Hawaii Wildlife Center and are working hard to gain support for the TWW act."

In March, Senator Tim Johnson (SD) introduced the Teaming With Wildlife Act (S655).  The bill would provide state fish and wildlife agencies with $350 million annually from 2011-2016 to implement State Wildlife Action Plans.  In introducing the Act, Senator Johnson said. “I am proud to introduce this bill to help states across the country enhance wildlife conservation”.  Funding for the Teaming With Wildlife Act would come from existing royalties collected on oil and gas development on federally-controlled lands.  In 2008, over $25 billion was collected through these royalties. 

A federal excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment provides states with about $740 million annually, but there is no similar source of dedicated funding for states to manage the 1,000’s of species that are not hunted or fished.  “The Teaming With Wildlife Act addresses the funding crisis facing state fish and wildlife agencies that preceded the current economic downturn”, said Mark Humpert.  “States have the principal responsibility for conserving all fish and wildlife yet the hunting and angling community has been footing most of the bill.  We need to broaden the funding base if we are to be successful in conserving our nation’s wildlife legacy”.

The Teaming With Wildlife coalition includes national, state and local conservation organizations and private businesses that support increased wildlife funding.  More information about the Teaming With Wildlife coalition is available at www.teaming.com.

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