Leave a Legacy of Conservation During National Make-a-Will-Month

posted in: General

August 7, 2024

We invite you to join us as we speak out to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish—now and forever – by leaving a legacy of conservation.

The United States has the greatest conservation system in the world, and hunters and anglers have been the foundation of this system since the late 1800s. Today, by uniting and amplifying the voices of America’s sportsmen and sportswomen in federal law and policy, the TRCP is ensuring that this legacy continues for another 150 years. But the challenges have never been greater.

August is National Make-A-Will Month, and you can help support our mission and Theodore Roosevelt’s vision, by empowering the TRCP to seize opportunities, address threats to conservation, and launch our next chapter of advocacy by leaving a legacy of conservation. Learn more by visiting our planned giving webpage HERE.

We invite you to join donors like Greg Singleton and help guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish—now and forever – by leaving a legacy of conservation.

“I vividly remember days from my childhood when I would leave the house early and head into the woods or out on the water with my dad and granddad. I looked forward to those days more than anything else. As I grew, I saw development take over our beautiful South Carolina coastline and I watched as magnificent wildlife areas disappeared to development. During this time, I realized that if children are to experience the great outdoors and develop a love and respect for these wonderful places, we need to protect it. That’s why I put TRCP in my trust, along with other like-minded organizations devoted to conserving and protecting the outdoors. There’s no better way to get children excited and inspired by the rugged wilderness than by taking them on camping, fishing, and hunting trips on our fabulous public lands. Letting them hear the barred owls, helping them dig up crawdads, and “catching” tadpoles and bringing a few home to turn into frogs, and marveling at the dance of the red-winged blackbirds as thousands fly overhead in their amazing, seemingly choreographed dance of flight was crucial. TRCP ensures public access to our great public lands where kids can do all these things and more. I encourage everyone who has the means to give back to the outdoors by putting TRCP in your will or trust. The nation’s children will be forever grateful.”
Greg Singleton, TRCP donor

For more information about making conservation part of your legacy, please visit Planned Giving | Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (trcp.org) or contact Josh Walters, TRCP’s director of program development, at (304) 261-4941 or jwalters@trcp.org.

The information stated here is not intended as financial or legal advice. Always consider seeking the advice of your financial or legal advisor.

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land and waters access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by: TRCP Staff

posted in: General

August 5, 2024

Joel Pedersen Named President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Pedersen brings over 30 years of leadership experience to the largest coalition of conservation organizations in the country.

The board of directors of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Joel Pedersen as President and CEO. Pedersen is a proven leader in conservation mission delivery, legislative strategy, and nonprofit governance with more than 30 years of experience; he will begin the role on September 1.

“Joel is a proven coalition builder and an inspiring leader who made a lasting impression on the board with his deep knowledge of conservation policy, passion for the American model of conservation, and well-earned respect within the conservation community,” said Alston Watt, chair of the TRCP Board of Directors. “On behalf of the board, I am thrilled to welcome Joel Pedersen as the next president and CEO of TRCP. Our partnership model is the driving force for conservation in America and we have no doubt he will continue advancing America’s legacy of conservation, habitat, and access.”

In his most recent role as president and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation, Pedersen advanced the nonprofit’s legislative and administrative priorities, increased membership, and revenue, and expanded partnerships with state and federal agencies.

Pedersen’s professional background includes biological administration, hunting access program management, conservation planning, and federal and state legislative strategy. He has served in leadership positions at the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and holds degrees in biology and wildlife and fisheries science. He is also a fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute.

“I have worked alongside TRCP for many years and have always admired its mission, reputation, and lasting accomplishments,” said Pedersen. “I am humbled and honored to now have the opportunity to lead the organization into the future. I look forward to working with the excellent staff and board at TRCP to advance Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy, and am excited to learn from, and continue to foster strong relationships with our partners as we lean into challenging conservation issues of the day. We are stronger with a unified voice, and it will take all of us working together to ensure a bright future for hunting and fishing.”

TRCP continues to rise to the challenge originally set forth by its founder, Jim Range—to unite and amplify partners’ voices to advance America’s legacy of conservation, habitat, and access. Since its inception just over 20 years ago, TRCP has become the largest coalition of conservation organizations in the country, representing over 90 partner nonprofit and corporate organizations.

“It is my pleasure to turn over the reins to Joel Pedersen, as the new President and CEO of TRCP,” said Becky Humphries, TRCP interim CEO and board member. “I have worked alongside Joel and know well he is a proven leader and conservation champion whose vision will expand and strengthen TRCP’s work creating durable science-based, common-sense conservation solutions that guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.”

Founded in 2002, the TRCP is the largest coalition of conservation organizations in the country, uniting and amplifying the voices of sportsmen and women by convening hunting and fishing groups, conservation organizations, and outdoor businesses to a common purpose. Learn more at trcp.org.

by: TRCP Staff

posted in: General

July 29, 2024

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Welcomes Four New Board Members

Experts in conservation, finance, and operations join leadership team.

(Washington D.C.)—The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is pleased to announce the onboarding of four new directors to its leadership team. Joe Anderson, Bill Henagan, Rita Hite, and Andrew Martin join the 27-member board that oversees TRCP.

“We are thrilled to welcome these four individuals to our Board of Directors,” says Alston Watt, TRCP Board Chair. “The diverse set of experience they have continues to build upon our strength as an organization and helps us to achieve our mission of guaranteeing all Americans quality places to hunt and fish. They each truly understand the importance of TRCP’s work to have lasting impacts to conservation, habitat, and access.”

Bios for the incoming board members can be found below. To read more about TRCP’s full Board of Directors and leadership team, click HERE.

Joe Anderson

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Joe and the infantry platoon he commanded in Vietnam were subjects of the highly acclaimed documentary film “The Anderson Platoon” which has won several awards to include the Oscar of the Academy Awards and an Emmy. Mr. Anderson’s military awards include two silver stars, five bronze stars, three Army Commendation Medals and eleven Air Medals.

Joe also serves on boards of several public and private companies. He is a past chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit Branch as well as a past chairman of the U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council.

Joe started fishing as a child with his dad in Topeka, Kansas. They raised English Pointers and hunted pheasant and quail throughout the state. He currently lives in Michigan and continues as an avid wing shooter hunting birds throughout the United States and Canada. He also fishes for salmon and halibut in Alaska.

Bill Henagan

Like his outdoor adventures, Bill’s professional interests stay broad and varied. As a young engineer for Texas Instruments, he manufactured DoD guidance systems, then spent the next fifteen years pioneering “Big Change Fast” for the Fortune 1000 in the emerging Systems Integration industry with CSC/Index and Deloitte. Over the past 20 years he has sought to provide thoughtful advice and private equity to positively impact family owned, southeastern companies as Managing Director of Henagan Spencer Capital Partners. In both the for-profit and non-profit worlds, Bill works to harness collective wisdom and ambition to solve complex governance challenges.

Complementing his investment portfolio, Bill stays deeply committed to actively giving back to his community on boards such as Visiting Nurse Health System, Breakthrough Atlanta, The Lovett School and The Rotary Club of Atlanta.

Bill and his wife Babette enjoy traveling to hunt and fish and have consistently support worthy conservation organizations. Along with their grand puppy, Boone the Bloodhound, they call Atlanta and the Low Country of South Carolina home and are blessed with two, fully grown, gainfully employed sons, William and Darby.

Rita Hite

As president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, Rita Hite leads the foundation’s ambitious conservation agenda. Her work centers on scaling AFF’s efforts to empower family forest owners from all walks of life to address the most pressing conservation challenges facing our nation today: namely, increasing carbon storage, mitigating catastrophic wildfires, and improving fish and wildlife habitat.  

In her more than 20-year career in forest conservation, Rita has staffed congressional leaders on the House Committee on Agriculture, built and curated coalitions and partnerships including the Forest Climate Working Group, the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition and the Women’s Forest Congress, and served as a nonprofit leader. She has shaped strategy, programs, and public policies that have unlocked billions in support for family forest stewardship and have had a significant impact on climate change, wildfire resilience and forest sustainability across the United States.  She finds energy in tackling difficult conservation challenges and bringing together diverse teams, coalitions and resources to create market-relevant solutions.

Rita is a graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She felt the call to champion natural resource conservation having grown up on a beef cattle farm in Upstate New York, where hunting and fishing were a natural part of life.

When not working, she’s likely chasing her five-year-old son, BBQing with her husband Matt, tending to her garden, or snuggling with her dogs at her home in Alexandria, Virginia. While she’d call herself an amateur, she enjoys fishing today with her husband and son when they can get away in nature.

Andrew Martin

Andrew Martin has been an advisor to and advocate and enthusiast of the sporting world for over 25 years. He co-founded Baird’s Enthusiast Brands in 2009 and leads the firm’s global coverage efforts across the outdoor industry, inclusive of work in the hunting, shooting sports and fishing segments. Andrew has had the good fortune to advise corporate leaders in the sporting world, iconic brands and the industry’s premier growth platforms. He and Baird have also been and are committed supporters to other organizations such as the Outdoor Foundation and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. 

Andrew holds an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Duke University. An avid outdoorsman himself, Andrew enjoys spending time with friends and family both close to home in the Carolinas and the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as at sporting destinations far afield.

Meet the Team: TRCP Staff and Board Members unite and amplify our partners voices to advance America’s legacy of conservation, habitat, and access.

by: Dan Morgan

posted in: General

July 11, 2024

Funk’s Senate Testimony Emphasizes How Farm Bill Programs Advance Drought Solutions for Fish and Wildlife

Appearing before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, TRCP director of water resources Alexander Funk encouraged lawmakers to quickly pass a bipartisan Farm Bill to address drought and climate impacts in western states.

On Wednesday June 26, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership was honored by the opportunity to participate in a field hearing focused on the important role of the Farm Bill in advancing drought solutions held by the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources.

“The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership thanks Senators Bennet and Marshall for convening a timely subcommittee hearing on the important role of the Farm Bill in advancing innovative drought solutions,” said Alexander Funk, TRCP’s director of water resources. “Drought impacts a wide range of fish and wildlife highly valued by hunters and anglers from trout to mule deer. Quickly passing a bipartisan Farm Bill that includes provisions that increase the pace and scale of voluntary, incentive-based drought resilience efforts is critical given the ongoing water-supply challenges facing western watersheds such as the Colorado River and Rio Grande.”

For many years, TRCP has worked with elected officials and state, Tribal, and federal agencies to support partnerships, policies, and funding that support critical investments in modernizing Western water infrastructure and nature-based solutions that enhance climate resilience and sustain healthy habitat for fish and wildlife. As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, the TRCP was instrumental in securing important victories for the Colorado River, including expanding eligibility for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to include watershed-scale conservation and restoration projects and ensuring drought resilience is a key priority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, despite the promise of this change, there have been significant challenges with implementation. Funk’s testimony focused on the long-time bipartisan support for this work and the need for Congress to quickly pass a bipartisan Farm Bill. This would ensure funding and technical assistance are available to increase the pace and scale of innovative drought adaptation and mitigation efforts benefitting agriculture, fish, and wildlife.

“The Farm Bill can play a vital role in addressing drought and climate impacts in western states and can do so through a “multi-title” approach, meaning that beyond the Conservation Title, there are opportunities with the Forestry, Research, Rural Development, and other titles to address key water-related challenges,” said Funk. “For example, most Westerners receive their water from forests. Forests are home to our natural water infrastructure – the source watershed streams, wetlands, and meadows that sustain drinking and irrigation water across the West. The Farm Bill presents an opportunity to enhance the conservation and restoration of these headwater forests through efforts such as strengthening the Water Source Protection Program, which allows the USFS to enter into agreements with water users to develop and implement source water plans and actions from fuels management to riparian restoration efforts, and the Watershed Condition Framework which provides for strategic restoration of forest watersheds.”

Funk also highlighted how the Conservation Title can play a greater role in addressing drought conditions, and that there are several opportunities to support western farmers and ranchers. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), for example, can help address drought by restoring perennial cover on environmentally sensitive agricultural land, which reduces water loss to evaporation, and increases water infiltration. This same cover provides essential wildlife habitat and improves water quality. Improvements to the CRP in the next Farm Bill are needed to ensure these outcomes can be achieved.

Stressing the need for increased collaboration, Funk highlighted how, in early 2023, the USDA released a Western Water and Working Lands Framework that outlined the challenges and conservation approaches needed to support western farmers and ranchers, including modernization of irrigation infrastructure, improving water forecasts’ reliability, and restoring streams and wetlands. But, unlike other targeted USDA frameworks, the Western framework still lacks the dedicated resources needed to support implementation and encouraged Congress and USDA to continue working collaboratively to ensure adequate resources and capacity are available to implement these existing measures.

In closing, Funk emphasized that the TRCP and our hunting and fishing community partners stand ready to work with Congress to craft a Farm Bill for agriculture, fish, and wildlife.

Watch Funk’s testimony HERE

Learn more about the Farm Bill HERE.

Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to healthy habitat and clean water HERE.

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by: Noah Davis

posted in: General

In The Arena: Erin Block

TRCP’s “In the Arena” series highlights the individual voices of hunters and anglers who, as Theodore Roosevelt so famously said, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation

Erin Block

Hometown: Golden, CO
Occupation: Librarian
Conservation credentials: Erin Block is an established outdoor writer and has published her work in publications such as Gray’s Sporting Journal, Midcurrent, and Field & Stream, alongside her books The View from Coal Creek and By a Thread: A Retrospective on Women and Fly Tying. She also serves as editor-at-large for TROUT magazine, and her first collection of poetry How You Walk Alone in the Dark recently won a Colorado Book Award.

As a Nebraska farm kid showing 4-H steers and dairy goats, Erin Block was raised to understand where food comes from, but it wasn’t until she moved to Colorado that she started hunting grouse, hares, and turkeys on the public lands around her home. A celebrated writer who grapples with the complexities of hunting and surrounding culture, Block offers a unique perspective with talent that grips her readers.

Here is her story.

Block with a high-country Merriam’s in an early season snowstorm.

I grew up in the Midwest, in Nebraska and Iowa, and spent time fishing with my dad. But no one in my immediate family hunted. We lived on a small farm, and I spent my childhood riding horses, raising 4-H steers and dairy goats. After college, I moved to Denver, Colorado, and that’s when I started hiking and backpacking. As a kid, I took it for granted that I knew where some of my food was coming from. As an adult, I started to realize that I wanted to get back to that in some way, but a farm was out of my financial means. So I started foraging mushrooms and then hunting. I started small, working my way up in animal and weapon size each season: first for grouse, then snowshoe hare, jackrabbit, turkey, and mule deer.

This past October, my husband, Jay Zimmerman, and I took our recurve bows out to hunt snowshoe hare. There was new snow that had fallen overnight and there was no wind. The hare tracks were fresh and it was magical to move through the woods so quietly as a predator. It felt like a lucid dream.

I am very much a homebody and don’t like traveling. I’m attached to my home waters and hunting grounds and would always choose them over anywhere else: the Front Range and eastern plains of Colorado.

Conservation is essential for being able to continue to hunt and fish. Good habitat creates better opportunities for hunters and anglers, but also improves the health of the ecosystem and animal populations. Every hunter knows the stomach-sinking-feeling of returning to an area you have had past success in and finding corners of a field mowed, timber cut, water drained, thickets torn up.

I’m lucky to live in an area with many public lands, but each year, more empty plots are developed, and the weather has become predictably unpredictable. I’ve witnessed severe drought, 1,000-year floods, and wildfires in my area all within a short span of time. Without a doubt the climate is changing and if we can create and maintain good habitat through conservation practices, that will help all animals through the coming years. There are also just a lot more people on the landscape. This isn’t a bad thing, but I think we all need to be mindful that even if we don’t view an activity as consumptive—hiking, for example—we are still impacting the land and its inhabitants, possibly detrimentally so.

Block chases dusky grouse in the Front Range of Colorado.

It’s important to me to try to have a positive impact on the resources I use and enjoy and also the small area of land where I live. I plant fruit trees, leave brush piles for rabbits, encourage the growth of native plants such as wild raspberries for pollinators, and so on. In less than a decade of hunting turkey, I have noticed a decrease in songbird activity at sunrise. Hunting takes you to places where you notice small changes like that, and makes you want to do something about it. In an interview with Orion Magazine, the poet Ross Gay was asked what he’d most like to be remembered for and his answer always sticks with me: “I am glad to have planted trees.”

Conservation should matter to us and to the next generation because even if you don’t fish or hunt, the health of our ecosystems directly affects our own well-being, both physically and mentally. And even for non-game species, we should care about their right to exist and their contribution to ecosystems. To quote Aldo Leopold, “keep all the pieces.”

Photos Courtesy of Erin Block.

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.