Washington, D.C. – March 2, 2017 – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, represented by Dave Nomsen, the conservation organization’s vice president of governmental affairs, joined partner organizations in welcoming Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to his first official day of duty. The collection of outdoor groups witnessed the 52^nd Secretary for the department sign Secretarial Order No. 3347, which will increase access to public lands, a move praised by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

“Outdoor recreation is about both our heritage and our economy. Between hunting, fishing, motorized recreation, camping and more, the industry generates thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity,” said Secretary Zinke. “Over the past eight years however, hunting, and recreation enthusiasts have seen trails closed and dramatic decreases in access to public lands across the board. It worries me to think about hunting and fishing becoming activities for the land-owning elite. This package of secretarial orders will expand access for outdoor enthusiasts and make sure the community’s voice is heard.”

“We’re pleased to see the new Secretary’s first action addressing top-of-the-line issues for sportsmen, sportswomen and other conservationists, including hunter access to quality wildlife habitat on our nation’s public lands,” Nomsen said.

Secretarial Order No. 3347 advances conservation stewardship, improves game and habitat management, and increases outdoor recreation opportunities by directing bureaus and agencies to immediately identify areas where outdoor recreation can be expanded. The order also requests the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council and Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council to provide recommendations on enhancing and expanding access on public lands and improving habitat for fish and wildlife.

Sportsmen, conservation and recreation groups represented at the signing ceremony included the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Boone and Crockett Club, Wild Sheep Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Rifle Association, Safari Club, National Wild Turkey Foundation, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, American Recreation Council, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, and National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Caption: Secretary Ryan Zinke signing Secretarial Orders (Source: Department of the Interior)

About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 149,000 members and 720 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $708 million on 517,000 habitat projects benefiting 15.8 million acres nationwide.