USFWS Policies

USFWS guidelines that impact the actions of Friends organizations

Need Your Comments on Lead Transition

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:2 mins read
Nest of Eaglets

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is collecting a second round of comments on their plan to transition away from lead ammunition for all hunting and lead tackle for fishing starting September 1, 2026. Over the next three years, the Refuge staff will provide outreach and educational opportunities for hunters/anglers to learn about lead impacts and available alternatives.

Please submit your comments supporting this plan. Transitioning away from lead will minimize the inadvertent exposure and lead poisoning of bald and golden eagles, as well as other scavenging species. This would be especially good news for our large eagle population at Blackwater NWR. If you support this move to non-lead ammunition and fishing tackle, please visit the Blackwater NWR website to see how you can email your comments by August 22. If you submitted comments in August 2022, please submit them again this year. Thanks for your support of our wildlife.

Photo: nest of eaglets at Blackwater NWR, MD

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Cancelled – USFWS and Friends Partnership: Required Reviews & Reports

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:1 mins read

Cancelled and will be rescheduled.

bird on a branch

Friends, please join us to learn more about the forthcoming reporting system for Friends groups. This reporting system will be easy to use, not overly burdensome, and accessible to both Friends members and Service staff. In this webinar, we will demo the form and answer any and all questions you may have.

Presenter: Linda Schnee, National Friends Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Sign Up!

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Understanding the Federal Budget Process: What Friends Want to Know

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Webinar on Wednesday, November 16th at 2:00pm ET

Did you know that it takes more than 18 months for the annual NWRS budget to become a reality? This ranges from the development of the President’s budget request to the ultimate passing of a bill by Congress and Friends groups can play a role. Eric discussed:

  • Formulation of the budget
  • Presentation of the budget
  • Execution & Performance
  • Tips for Friends

The federal budget process signals our nation’s priorities. The discussion was an opportunity to learn how the priorities are established for the National Wildlife Refuge System and how we can provide our input.

Presenter, Eric Alvarez the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Chief, Division of Realty, Budget, Performance, and Workforce

Here are links to the recording and slides:

A huge thank you to Eric Alvarez the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Chief, Division of Realty, Budget, Performance, and Workforce for this discussion.

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Overview of Updated Friends Policy

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:3 mins read

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s updated Friends Policy was finalized on July 12, 2021. This summer the Service has presented two webinars that provided overviews of the Policy. The Service provided the same content for each webinar however since the audience was different and therefore some of the questions differ. In addition to the recordings of the webinars held on July 28th and August 18th other materials from and mentioned during the webinar are available below.

We thank our amazing and knowledgeable presenters:

  • Linda Schnee, USFWS— NWRS, National Friends Program Coordinator
  • Maggie O’Connell, USFWS— NWRS, Branch Chief for Visitor Services

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The Inside-Out Rebranding of the NWRS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been on a journey to rebrand American’s Best Kept Secret, the National Wildlife Refuge System. Kristen Gilbert, USFWS Branch Lead for Communications and digital Services, shared this rebranding journey with Friends. The presentation included:

  • Developing a positive visitor-oriented experience,
  • Creating signage consistency that allows for individual refuge identity, 
  • Reaching new audiences that are more diverse and younger,
  • Expanding outreach – print, media, and sponsorship

Link to the webinar recording.

We want to thank our amazing and knowledgeable presenter, Kristen Gilbert, USFWS Branch Lead for Communications and digital Services.

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