TWS Policy
The Wildlife Society’s policy staff implements the mission of TWS, working to ensure policies:
- EMPOWER wildlife professionals by incorporating wildlife science, continue the public trust management of wildlife, and grant them the ability to regulate the use of wildlife resources
- ENABLE wildlife professionals by supporting sufficient funding for wildlife conservation and providing them with the tools and resources that enhance their ability to conduct their work
- ASSIST wildlife professionals by helping them achieve science-based management and conservation of wildlife populations and habitats.
The Wildlife Society covers a broad range of policy engagement principles related to wildlife research, management, and conservation. Staff advances those principles by communicating with Congress, the Administration, and relevant state, provincial and federal agencies, and preparing and facilitating the development of position statements, technical reviews, fact sheets, policy briefs, policy priority reference lists, and news articles. The Wildlife Society also supports TWS Sections and Chapters with policy engagement in local or regional issues through the Conservation Affairs Network and its Policy Toolkit.
The Wildlife Society actively participates on several coalitions focused on specific policy issues. Coalitions unify a diversity of organizations who have a shared goal on specific policy topics. Staff also develop and manage partnerships with governmental agencies and other non-governmental organizations to strengthen TWS’s voice and provide benefits to our members.
Joe Burns Memorial Wildlife Policy Internship Program
DEADLINE PASSED: Please check back in the fall for more information on the 2025 policy internship program. You may still access the 2024 position announcement below as a reference, but we are not accepting application materials at this time.
More information on the internship and how to apply can be found in the position announcement.
The program is named in honor of one of The Wildlife Society’s first policy interns, Joe Burns. Joe devoted his career to federal service, and spent over 20 years working on behalf of conservation programming within the US Forest Service. Joe was an extremely active proponent of TWS’ policy program, and was selfless in his mentorship of new professionals looking to engage in the profession.
