Attend "Listening Sessions On Cooperative Conservation"

The Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality are holding “listening sessions” around the country to exchange ideas on incentives, voluntary programs, and regulations that can improve results and promote cooperative conservation.

These sessions provide a vital opportunity for NRA members and the hunting community to ensure that their voices are heard.

The discussion topics will include:

• How can the federal government better respect the interests of people with ownership in land, water, and other natural resources?
  
• How can the federal government enhance wildlife habitat, species protection, and other conservation outcomes through regulatory and voluntary conservation programs?
  
• How can the federal government enhance cooperation among federal agencies and with states, tribes, and local communities in the application of environmental protection and conservation laws?
  
• How can the federal government work with states, tribes, and other public- and private-sector partners to improve science used in environmental protection and conservation?
  
• How can the federal government work cooperatively with businesses and landowners to protect the environment and promote conservation?

These meetings will guide the federal government in the development of future policy proposals that build upon the success of cooperative conservation.

The sessions listed below are the first of at least two-dozen that will be held around the country:

Helena, Montana, 1:00 p.m., August 14, 2006, Public Health and Human Services Building, Auditorium

Roanoke, Virginia, 10:30 a.m., August 14, 2006, Roanoke College in Salem, Va. Colket Center, Wortmann Ballroom

Columbus, Ohio, 4:00 p.m., August 21, 2006, Ohio State University Agricultural Administration Building Auditorium

Redmond, Oregon, 9:00 a.m., August 22, 2006, Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center

Jefferson City, Missouri, 9:00 a.m., August 29, 2006, Runge Conservation Nature Center

Enid, Oklahoma, 1:00 p.m., August 30, 2006,Cherokee Strip Conference Center, Piner Hall

Omaha, Nebraska, 1:00 p.m., August 24, 2006, Qwest Center Omaha-Convention Center Junior Ballroom. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall will attend * Muncie, Indiana, 10 a.m., August 26, 2006, Horizon Convention Center Exhibition Hall. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will attend.

Fairbanks, Alaska, 10:00 a.m., August 28, 2006. The Carlson Center. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will attend.

Colorado Springs, Colorado, 9:00 a.m., September 15, 2006, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the Gymnasium. United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, Mark Rey will attend.

Brewer, Maine, 4:00 p.m., September 20, 2006, Jeff's Catering Banquet and Convention Center. Secretary Kempthorne will attend.

Brunswick, Georgia, 1:00 p.m., September 21, 2006, Coastal Georgia Community College, Southeast Georgia Conference Center.  FWS Director Hall will attend.

Colton, California, 10:00 a.m., September 28, 2006, Colton High School Auditorium. Secretary Kempthorne will attend.

Please be sure to attend and participate in these critically important sessions that will guide the federal government in the development of future policy proposals.  Let your voice be heard!

For more information, please refer to the “Listening Session” page on the Cooperative Conservation Website at http://cooperativeconservation.gov.