Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world
We believe America’s experience with cherished landscapes and wildlife has helped define and shape our national character and identity for generations. Protecting these natural resources is a cause that has long united Americans from all walks of life and political stripes. To hunters, anglers, hikers, birders, wildlife watchers, boaters, climbers, campers, cyclists, gardeners, farmers, forest stewards, and other outdoor enthusiasts, this conservation ethic represents a sacred duty and obligation to protect and build upon our conservation heritage for the sake of wildlife, ourselves, our neighbors, and—most of all—for future generations.
This belief led us to form a new strategic plan for saving wildlife that are suffering declines across America, with the goal of increasing America's fish and wildlife populations and enhancing their capacity to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The plan sets in motion a Common Agenda for Wildlife built upon sound science, clear priorities, and scalable solutions. Our Common Agenda includes a commitment to:
Protect, Restore, and Connect Wildlife Habitat: Active restoration and reconnection of fragmented and degraded habitat across protected lands, working lands, waterways, coasts, and communities
Transform Wildlife Conservation: Advancing 21st century wildlife management, defending public trust resources, and confronting emerging stressors like climate change, invasive species, and wildlife diseases
Connect Americans with Wildlife: Inspiring the next generation of conservationists and mobilizing a diverse conservation army to broaden the stewardship ethic, conservation action, public and private investments, and support for policy changes necessary to save thousands of at-risk species in our time
Metrics of Success
This four-year action plan represents the best science and thinking from across the National Wildlife Federation, our affiliates, and our large network of conservation partners on collective actions needed by 2022. Together we will:
Ensure a majority of Americans and policymakers are aware of our nation’s wildlife crisis. We will activate 11 million people and join forces with 2,500 partner organizations as part of America’s conservation army
Put 25 percent of America’s at-risk wildlife species on a path to recovery, protect and better manage habitat and wildlife on 300 million acres of public and tribal land, and restore and enhance the resilience of 40 million acres of critical private land and water habitat. We will do this by securing at least $2 billion in additional annual conservation funding and advancing 21st century wildlife management practices in partnership with state and federal wildlife agencies
Rebuild America’s conservation ethic by engaging 25 million young people across 20,000 schools in environmental education and recurring outdoor experiences
Increase the relevance of wildlife conservation nationwide by partnering on local water, wildlife habitat, and environmental justice projects in 1,000 diverse urban and rural communities
Defend America’s democratic public trust resources (public lands, waterways, and wildlife) for current and future generations from threats of divestiture, reduced access, or privatization
The recent decline in wildlife populations tells us we cannot rely only on what’s worked to date. Widespread declines in many wildlife populations show us we need to do more to address both longstanding and new pressures on wildlife—and we need to start right away. This Common Agenda for Wildlife builds on what’s working now and provides a new paradigm for reversing the decline of wildlife in America.
More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.
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