Interior Department Announces Over $1.5 Billion To Support State Wildlife Conservation And Outdoor Recreation 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a record $1.5 billion in annual funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program to support state and local outdoor recreational opportunities, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. The WSFR Program’s two funding sources are the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which was reauthorized as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Wildlife Restoration Program. The core value of all WSFR Programs is fostering cooperative partnerships between federal and state agencies, working alongside hunters, anglers, and other outdoor interests, to enhance recreational opportunities while advancing sustainable resource goals.  

These goals are consistent with President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative to support locally led efforts to conserve and restore our nation’s lands, waters, and wildlife. The initiative’s inclusive approach recognizes that hunters, fishers, private landowners, ranchers, farmers, Tribes, traditional land users, and everyone has a role to play in conservation to conserve America’s lands and waters for future generations.  

The Interior Department’s groundbreaking conservation efforts are beneficial for RVers, who participate in a wide range of outdoor recreation activities on state and federal lands. The increase in RVers in recent years has undoubtably contributed to the increase in people participating in outdoor recreation activities, resulting in more funds collected by the WSFR program. According to a recent survey, new RV buyers list using an RV as a basecamp for other outdoor recreation activities as a top reason for purchasing an RV. Increased access for outdoor recreation and conservation of public lands is critical for the future of RVing, ensuring that RVers have places to camp and participate in outdoor recreation.  

“Over the past two years we saw record outdoor participation and sales of outdoor products – from RVs, bikes, and boats to hunting and angling gear and equipment and more. More outdoor activities directly correlate with increased funding for land and water conservation, outdoor infrastructure, and habitat improvement thanks to important programs like Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration,” said Jessica Turner, President of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “ORR applauds this Department of the Interior announcement of the highest amounts of conservation dollars ever going to the states, the long success of this program and the fact it provides for sustainable outdoor opportunities for every American.”