90th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference
By Tony Wasley
B&C Professional Member, Wildlife Management Institute President
The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) hosted the 90th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 10-14, 2025. Federal travel bans resulted in the loss of approximately 450 attendees from both the military and DOI/USDA sectors. Despite the significant loss of federal participation, there were still about 800 attendees, which included leadership of state agencies, conservation organizations, industry, and academia. Throughout the week, attendees met to discuss the current and emerging issues facing fish and wildlife conservation. Several international organizations were also represented by their leadership including the CIC (International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation), Jamma International, and FACE (European Federation for Hunting and Conservation).
On Wednesday, March 12th, Rich Storm, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, welcomed conference attendees to the great state of Kentucky. WMI President, Tony Wasley, provided opening remarks and then began the plenary titled, Foundational Elements of Wildlife Conservation: Toward a Broader Vision. Tovar Cerulli, engagement strategist and social scientist for DJ Case and Associates and Ashley Smith, thought leader, artist, author, and attorney, both shared their thoughts and ideas surrounding conservation’s future. Tony Wasley then concluded the plenary session by announcing WMI will be convening an effort to reflect, refine, and refocus the foundational elements of conservation in ways that can ultimately lead to a broader vision and more successful conservation outcomes for the future as we tackle relevance, funding, climate change, biodiversity loss, and cultural conflicts.
Special sessions, workshops, and related meetings included:
- The Foundation of Conservation is Cracked – Now What?
- Social Science: A Conservation Resource in the Face of Change
- “The Times They are a Changin” - Challenges and Opportunities for Wildlife Governance
- Beyond the Boundaries: Exploring Opportunities for Cross-regional Landscape-scale Conservation
- The Wildlife Society Council Meeting
- American Wildlife Conservation Partners Meeting
- Regional and National Flyway Council Meetings
- Boone and Crocket Club’s Spring Meeting
In addition to the Special Sessions and Workshops, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association conducted more than 100 committee meetings, along with numerous related meetings. As in the past, the Boone and Crockett Club conducted their spring business meeting in conjunction with the North American Conference.
During Wednesday’s Conservation Administrator’s Luncheon, WMI President Tony Wasley presented 45-year Boone and Crockett Club member, Honorary Life Member, and President Emeritus Lowell Baier with the George Bird Grinnell Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Natural Resources Conservation. The award is the highest honor bestowed by WMI.
WMI thanks all of the Conference co-sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees for their support of this conference. We invite you all to participate in the 91th North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, which is scheduled to be held in Columbus, Ohio. As always, WMI would like to thank the Boone and Crockett Club, its regular and professional members, for making this Conference a great success.