Why Conservation Matters

Formal efforts engaging conservation of our natural resources began in the late eighteen hundreds. Receiving much legislative attention throughout the 20th Century. Nationally these efforts were focused on the most beautiful landscapes in America. Yellowstone’s beauty and uniqueness set the stage for conserving these special spots of wonder across America around the same time early in the 20th Century or shortly after citizens became concerned with the depletion of timber lands and wildlife.

This concern for wildlife protection and preservation saved many species. Inadvertently many special ecosystems were also saved. Still many ecosystems were destroyed along with related habitat. State wildlife departments were formed and began to adopt regulations for the formal management of fish and wildlife resources.

Conservation efforts gradually extended into habitat preservation and development. Thus as state wildlife agencies grew they evolved into being more aware of the balance in nature.

Natural resources and their connection to wildlife were easy to piggyback into state wildlife agencies. The roles of these agencies along with better science highlighted the critical need not only for better wildlife protection, but also for the protection of many diverse ecosystems. Habitat loss was very visible. However, the loss of many species of wildlife related to various habitats was much harder to discern. Currently partnerships between state departments of natural resources, non-profit organizations and individual landowners are ongoing to save ecosystems in need of preservation.

Accountability for Saving Our OutdoorsConsumptive Users or Non-consumptive Users?

For the sake of this analysis the focus will be on the primary users of the outdoors. The main assumption is all of us share responsibility for keeping various environments viable and healthy. So who’s picking up the tab for keeping the outdoors viewable and usable? It takes more than the small fees collected at National and State Parks.

All recognize some of our tax dollars must be used to keep all such places up and running. Those who visit these parks are consumptive users at that point. But this type of infrequent use consumption is very superficial in raising funds necessary to support the park and the related services.

Who is responsible for the wildlife you see in such places? Beyond that who is responsible for the wildlife and public habitat around the place where you live? And who in every state you cross on your way to and from National and State Parks pays for the upkeep and management of all the wildlife you see or fish you catch?

Consumptive users bear the largest part of the financial burden for the sustainability of all game and fish agencies. These consumptive outdoor users may be hard to see afield. But it’s easy to recognize how hunters and anglers consume wildlife resources by the nature of their sports. Their support is through licenses and heavy excise taxes on all related hunting and fishing equipment.

It is difficult for the public to see how hunters and anglers are tools in the hands of wildlife management and conservation efforts. Without controlled harvesting of wildlife resources, nature would soon lose it’s balance.

Hunters play the biggest role in maintaining herd balance for all big game animals like deer and elk. In so doing they pay heavy license fees not to count the millions they bring into states with services related to hunting and fishing trips.

Much harder to discern or figure out is the economic impact or contribution of those in the second group of outdoor users, the non-consumptive user. Nonconsumptive outdoor users engage in a wide variety of outdoor activities such as bird watching, canoeing, hiking and photography to name a few.

The numbers in this group are growing and exceed the declining numbers in the current consumptive group of hunters and anglers. But the non-consumptive users add little revenue to the outdoor venues they enjoy. Their cost to enjoy outdoor activities is minuscule compared to that of consumptive users like the hunter or fishers.

To over simplify, hunters and anglers continue to bear the brunt of financial responsibility for the cost of keeping the outdoors open to all the public. State agencies for natural resources that depend on fees in the form of permits, tags and licenses bought by hunters and anglers are seeing a loss of revenue due to fewer members of the consumptive outdoor users being afield. This nationwide decline has called for an action plan, enter the R3 Program.

R3 Efforts

At this point, non-consumptive users of the outdoors hopefully recognize that federal excise taxes placed on hunting and fishing equipment supports not only habitat, but either directly or otherwise supports all the outdoor opportunities enjoyed by nonconsumptive outdoor users. Couple that with all the other fees that hunters and anglers pay and it’s clear that the non-consumptive group has piggybacked mostly unknowing to a free ride into the outdoors.

These two groups must not need to be oppositional but rather work together. A bridge has been built between the two groups that share the common bond of a love for the outdoors, wildlife and nature. What really matters here is that as the numbers of consumptive users of the outdoors continue to decline, then it is only natural that the financial burden to keep the outdoors open to all will fall more and more upon the nonconsumptive user.

Recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters and anglers into the fold is key to the success of R3 efforts. In the non-consumptive outdoors groups, there is kayaking, swimming in the creek or river or by the boat dock, hiking, shooting in an archery shop or on a gun range. Take the time to bridge the R3 gap by engaging these folks in some creative and viable ways. Use your gut feelings to express your love of nature and the importance of keeping things going for the next generation of outdoors people. Find some common ground and build on it.

Talk to archers about bow fishing. Talk to shotgun shooters about dove hunting and how it has improved over the years. Invite a youth in your family or extended family on a youth hunt in your state.

Mark your calendar with the dates for special days of free fishing or outdoor exposure. These events will be listed on the websites of most state game and fish agencies. Then ask someone to join you for the activity. Many of the fishing events will provide first-time anglers with both the equipment and instruction necessary to start their own fishing tradition.

The key to the R3 program is involvement and involvement is the key to growth. Getting children into nature is a win-win. Start with your own children or grandchildren and have them invite a friend. Get involved! Yes, there are many ways for us to get together.

Non-profit organizations do a lot for habitat and wildlife. Their membership is mainly made up of hunters and fishers but look them up and see if you can share your expertise. Keeping the outdoors open and viable for all is of the greatest concern.