Position Statements & Other Policy Engagement Documents

As leaders in wildlife science, management and conservation, The Wildlife Society has a responsibility to address national and international issues that affect the current and future status of wildlife in North America and throughout the world. The diligent development of authoritative statements on wildlife issues is essential for interjecting wildlife concerns into decision-making processes.

The statements linked below have been formally adopted by The Wildlife Society Council, following member review and comment periods.

Descriptions and processes for each type of document is available in the Policy Engagement Documents report.

Standing Positions

These are broad topic statements that are fundamental to wildlife conservation and/or the wildlife profession.  Standing Positions have been identified as long-standing, foundational positions of The Wildlife Society.  Download the Summary Document.

• Animal Rights Philosophy and Wildlife Conservation
• Conservation Education
• Conservation Law Enforcement
• Conserving Biological Diversity
• Economic Growth
• Environmental Quality through Resource Management
• Human Populations
• Hunting
• North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
• Responsible Human Use of Wildlife
• Threatened and Endangered Species
• Toxic Chemical Compounds
• Trapping Furbearers
• Urban Wildlife
• Use of Science in Policy and Management Decisions
• Wildlife Damage Management
• Wildlife Disease
• Wildlife Fertility Control
• Workforce Diversity in the Wildlife Profession 

Position Statements

These are broad and topical statements on a wildlife issue that defines the issue, contains factual background data, describes the most probable biological, social, and economics results of alternative actions, and may also contain a recommended course(s) of action.

• The U.S. Endangered Species Act
• Energy Development and Wildlife
• Firearms
• Global Climate Change and Wildlife
• Incorporating Wildlife Needs in Land Management Plans
• Invasive and Feral Species
• Lead in Ammunition and Fishing Tackle
• Livestock Grazing on Rangelands in the Western U.S.

Issue Statements

Issue statements are specific applications of broader policies identified in a standing position or position statement.  These statements outline The Wildlife Society’s policies targeted at a specific issue or action.

• Domestic Sheep and Goats Disease Transmission Risk to Wild Sheep (TWS/AAWV Joint Issue Statement)
• Feral and Free-Ranging Domestic Cats
• Feral Horses and Burros in North America
• Feral Swine in North America
• Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
• Oil and Gas Development in the Rocky Mountain West
• Wildlife Killing Contests
• Delisting of Grizzly Bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area
• Wolf Restoration and Management in the Contiguous United States
• Scientific Peer Review of Agency Decision Processes
• Conservation and Management of Old-Growth Forest on the Pacific Coast of North America
• Baiting and Supplemental Feeding of Wildlife Species
• The Antarctic
• Confinement of Wild Native and Exotic Ungulates within High Fences

For questions and comments regarding TWS’ policy engagement documents, please contact:

Keith Norris, AWB®
Director, Wildlife Policy and Communications
keith.norris@wildlife.org
(301) 897-9770 ext 309