The mission of the vermont fish and wildlife department is the conservation of all species of fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the people of vermont

The Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife received a Formula Grant award of $1.47M from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award supports the department's comprehensive wildlife conservation and public access mission across Vermont's 101 Wildlife Management Areas comprising approximately 135,000 acres of state-managed land.

The grant funds wildlife habitat conservation, management, enhancement, and restoration activities on Wildlife Management Areas, including installation and maintenance of management infrastructure. Additionally, the award supports wildlife species and habitat inventory and assessment activities to guide management recommendations, provision of public access to Wildlife Management Areas for wildlife-based recreational activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing, and public education programs on wildlife conservation and habitat management. These activities align with the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act's objectives to restore, conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats while supporting hunter education and public outdoor recreation opportunities across the state.

To accomplish this mission, the integrity, diversity and vitality of all natural ecological systems must be protected. Land and habitat conservation, management, enhancement and restoration are a critical part of vermont fish and wildlife department approach for achieving this broad mission. The vermont fish and wildlife department currently owns and manages 101 wildlife management areas comprised of approximately 135,000 acres of land. Each year, the department acquires land to expand existing wildlife management areas , and manages those wildlife management areas for the benefit of fish, wildlife and healthy habitats. In addition, the vermont fish and wildlife department manages wildlife management areas to support public access and use of those properties for wildlife-based activities including hunting, trapping, fishing, viewing, photography, among others. The department manages wildlife management areas based on the following objectives: 1.conserve, manage, enhance and restore fish, wildlife, and habitat on all wildlife management areas in vermont, including installation and management of infrastructure to support management activities.2.inventory and assess species, habitat, natural community and other resource conditions on wildlife management areas and evaluate that information to guide and develop management recommendations and implementation.3.provide public access to wildlife management areas for wildlife-based activities that are compatible with wildlife and habitat management objectives.4.provide opportunities for the public to learn about wildlife conservation and habitat management on wildlife management areas.