Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency outlines budget challenges and conservation initiatives

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) presented a critical overview of its operations and funding challenges during a recent House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee meeting. Director Max Don highlighted the agency's vital role in managing over 1.6 million acres of land and providing access to hunting and fishing opportunities across the state.

With a dedicated team of 750 staff members, including wildlife officers and field operations personnel, the TWRA is committed to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and ensuring public access to natural resources. However, the agency faces significant funding hurdles, primarily due to stagnant sales of hunting and fishing licenses, which have not increased since 2015. This stagnation, coupled with rising operational costs, has prompted the agency to seek a fee increase, which, if approved, would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Director Don emphasized the importance of diversifying funding sources, noting that federal funding constitutes nearly 29% of the agency's revenue. He also discussed the agency's initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining hunters and anglers, which are crucial for sustaining the agency's funding model. The TWRA has engaged approximately 17,000 participants in outreach events this year alone, aiming to foster a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

Access to land remains a pressing concern for the agency, as many constituents express the need for improved access to hunting and fishing areas. With agricultural land disappearing at an alarming rate—approximately 10 acres per hour—Director Don warned that the loss of farmland also translates to a loss of hunting opportunities, further complicating the agency's mission.

As the TWRA navigates these challenges, the upcoming fee increase and ongoing recruitment efforts will be pivotal in ensuring the agency can continue its conservation work and provide essential services to Tennessee's outdoor community.