Furbearer Conservation supports #ResponsibleRecreation

Its no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered lives and routines across the globe. We’ve reported on the pandemic’s impact on all sorts of wildlife from continent to continent. But what we haven’t spoken too much about is the pandemic’s impact on America’s public lands. With many traditional public gathering areas shut down and/or inaccessible until further notice, the inevitable human-induced backlash has been a swelling strain on parks, hiking trails, and other public lands as quarantined residents flock to nature to ease the tensions of self-isolation.

For sportsmen and women, spending time in nature has always served as a therapeutic escape from daily life. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many Americans seeking safe activities to cope with quarantine fatigue. Many have decided to follow the lead of the outdoor sporting community by choosing to spend more time outside.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has recently worked alongside other conservation partners in launching the #ResponsibleRecreation media campaign as a valuable way to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors safely and respectfully during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Furbearer Conservation project is proud to support the efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and other conservation-minded partners in encouraging individuals and families to enjoy the outdoors while practicing #ResponsibleRecreation. Conservation funding streams and associated economic benefits are immensely dependent on the public’s willingness and ability to use recreational resources in a responsible manner to ensure these resources are preserved and available in the future. The #ResponsibleRecreation campaign is an effort to encourage Americans to responsibly enjoy outdoor recreation while adhering to COVID-19 public health practices and natural resource stewardship principles.

Whether participating in hunting, fishing, trapping, recreational shooting or other outdoor opportunities such as hiking and wildlife watching, these activities support mental and physical well-being while social distancing; and are a great way to enjoy the outdoors during these uncertain and often confusing times.

Our nation offers abundant public lands and waters for Americans to enjoy while participating in a variety of activities in a safe and constructive manner. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, CSF and other partners have been working with governors and other state leaders to keep these viable opportunities open and accessible to the public.

The Furbearer Conservation project endorses public land use in a way that is beneficial for recreational users as well as the indigenous wildlife that inhabits these areas. As our wild public lands see increasing activity from people seeking to “escape” the daily-grind amid a current health crisis, it is important to promote activities that result in minimally invasive impacts from humankind. We are more than happy to partner with CSF and endorse their efforts in promoting the Responsible Recreation campaign.

In addition, maintaining opportunities for these activities supports critical conservation funding during this time of economic uncertainty, while also supporting the businesses that drive the outdoor recreation economy.

By practicing responsible recreation, we can all play a part in protecting our continued access to public lands and outdoor activities.

Join the countless outdoor enthusiasts and conservation-minded organizations today in taking the Responsible Recreation pledge and enjoy the outdoors responsibly. To take the #ResponsibleRecreation pledge and learn more about the campaign, please visit www.responsible-recreation.org.

The Furbearer Conservation project is proud to support the efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and other conservation-minded partners in encouraging individuals and families to enjoy the outdoors while practicing #ResponsibleRecreation. Conservation funding streams and associated economic benefits are immensely dependent on the public’s willingness and ability to use recreational resources in a responsible manner to ensure these resources are preserved and available in the future.

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Here at Furbearer Conservation headquarters, we tend to discuss the politics, legislation, scientific study and other aspects that surround these outdoor pursuits. While this is all good and well, I must admit we haven’t done our due diligence explaining how YOU can help. So here goes our Top Ten Ways you can protect (and promote) the future of hunting and trapping.

Furbearer Conservation is proud to support #ResponsibleRecreation

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