Johnson Honored for Leadership in Wildlife Preservation

Press Release

Johnson Honored for Leadership in Wildlife Preservation

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) was honored today in Washington for his strong support of wildlife preservation. Johnson was presented with the Teaming with Wildlife Award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, in honor of wildlife legislation he introduced earlier this year.

"I am honored to receive this award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies," Johnson said. "South Dakota has a deep history of appreciation for the outdoors and that's why I introduced important legislation that will help preserve our wildlife."

In March Johnson introduced a bill that would create a first of its kind funding program to help states protect nongame fish and wildlife species under the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP). The Teaming with Wildlife Act would provide $350 million annually over five years to help states carry out comprehensive wildlife restoration programs consistent with a state wildlife action plan. Since 2001, every state has adopted a state wildlife action plan to effectively recover fish and wildlife species. The Teaming with Wildlife Act would create a reliable funding source for the program through a portion of the royalties collected from mineral development on federal lands. Johnson has long supported efforts to create a reliable funding stream to support the WCRP since Congress authorized the program in 2000.

As a senior member of the Energy Committee, Johnson has been leading the fight to protect our wildlife and secure federal funding for conservation programs.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies represents fish and wildlife agencies across the country at every level of government.

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