Association Of Fish And Wildlife Agencies

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) is a non-profit organization that serves as a critical bridge between state fish and wildlife agencies, federal agencies, and other conservation stakeholders across North America. Registered in SAM.gov since August 2015, AFWA operates as a tax-exempt corporate entity focused on coordinating wildlife conservation efforts, providing professional development, and supporting policy initiatives that advance wildlife management and habitat protection. The organization plays a pivotal role in facilitating communication, research, and collaborative strategies among state agencies, federal partners, and conservation groups to address complex environmental and wildlife management challenges.

Through its extensive federal grant portfolio, AFWA provides a wide range of services across multiple conservation domains, primarily working with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and other federal entities. The organization's grant work encompasses critical areas such as wildlife health, climate change adaptation, habitat conservation, international wildlife treaty coordination, leadership development, and conservation education. Specific grant-funded initiatives include developing best management practices for trapping, supporting the National Fish Habitat Partnership, coordinating science and research efforts, creating communication strategies for wildlife conservation (like the North American Waterfowl Management Plan), conducting national surveys on wildlife participation, and supporting legal strategy development for state wildlife agencies. AFWA's grants often involve developing training programs, creating educational resources, facilitating multi-state and multi-agency collaborations, and providing critical coordination services that help state agencies more effectively manage and conserve wildlife resources across diverse landscapes and jurisdictions.