2026 – Partner with a Payer

From Detections to Decisions: Improving Motus Data Quality and Analytical Tools for Species of Greatest Conservation Need

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a global network of radio receivers that track small flying animals carrying tiny lightweight transmitters. As these animals fly within range of a station their unique signal is automatically recorded allowing researchers to track movements across continents without recapturing the animal. However, the rapid growth of the system has … Read more

Prioritizing Eastern brook trout habitat restoration using Hyper-Resolution Hydrography Data

Brook trout are a recreationally and ecologically important native fish species across the Eastern United States. They are sensitive to water quality and temperature making them strong indicators of stream health. However, their populations have declined due to land use changes, habitat fragmentation and warming water temperature. This project aims to enhance brook trout habitat … Read more

Pathways to Partnership: Empowering Agency Ambassadors to Achieve R3 Success

This project will provide state fish and wildlife agencies (SFWAs) with a reliable, replicable, and field-tested methodology for initiating new partnerships that increase their capacity to effectively deliver hunting, angling, and shooting sports recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts. The need for effective methods of finding and partnering with new, R3-vested groups and organizations has … Read more

2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination

The Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP), authorized under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, provides up to $11 million annually for projects that address national and regional conservation priorities beyond the capacity of individual states. This includes $6 million for Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) that support fish and … Read more

A Taste of Conservation: Boosting Public Support of Hunting Through Approachable Wild Game Recipes

Public support for hunting continues to decline, and public perception often misunderstands the motivations behind it. Fortunately, research—including the 2025 Americans’ Attitudes Toward Hunting and Sport Shooting survey—shows that most Americans strongly approve of hunting when it is done to procure food. At the same time, they disapprove of trophy hunting or hunting they perceive … Read more

Advancing the use of Motus to track migratory bat movement throughout the year

Conservation of migratory species requires cross-border collaboration within and beyond the United States to coordinate conservation measures over the entire species phenology. Understanding movement patterns and habitat use throughout the year is essential to coordinating these efforts. A total of 44 states identify at least one of the three long-distance migratory bats (silver-haired, red and … Read more

Assessing Training Needs in the Natural Resources Professions and Building a Clearinghouse of Professional Development Courses

Fish and wildlife professionals need high quality training to enable them to meet their professional challenges. Success in the workplace is critical for these professionals be they state or federal agency, nongovernmental organizations, industry or others. Yet the vast majority of employing entities are poorly equipped to provide their staff with such training. The science … Read more

Beyond the Catch: Building a Communication Blueprint for Bass Fisheries

American fisheries and wildlife professionals are well trained in science-based problem solving, but their roles reach far beyond biology. They often serve at the public interface, responsible for explaining management decisions, presenting regulation changes, participating in events, and securing compliance from anglers and other stakeholders. For many citizens, agency biologists may be the only point … Read more

Beyond the Catch: Investigating the Role of Fishing Guides in Angler R3

This project aims to provide key insights to help practitioners of recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) and the recreational fishing industry bolster fishing participation by exploring the underexamined role that fishing guides play in recruiting, retaining and reactivating anglers. Fishing participation counts and rates are at or near their highest levels in recent years; however, … Read more

Bowhunting in the U.S. Market Study: Updated Insights into Bowhunter Attitudes, Motivations, and Economics

The 1999 publication “Bowhunting in the United States: A Market Study” was based on national research by the Archery Trade Association and Responsive Management and remains one of the most requested reports by industry groups agency partners and other bowhunting stakeholders. To remain a useful resource for agency and organizational planning and recruitment, retention and … Read more

Bridging the Gap: Building Pathways for NASP® Families to Outdoors Resources that Foster Lifelong Recreation

This project is a partnership between the National Archery in the Schools Program®, Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, International Hunter Education Association, National Bowhunter Education Foundation, eResources LLC Via Studio division, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. This initiative aims to increase long-term participation and retention … Read more

Building Capacity for Conservation: National Training, Leadership, and Collaboration for State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Management Assistance Team (MAT) proposes a national professional development initiative to strengthen the leadership and capacity of state fish and wildlife agencies. The project will deliver high-quality training, consulting and resources to enhance staff effectiveness, improve retention, and support conservation programs funded through the Wildlife Restoration and … Read more