WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The House Natural Resources Committee’s upcoming hearing on expanding access for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation on public lands is a timely opportunity to recognize the incredible resource national wildlife refuges and public lands offer hunters and anglers. The hearing also underscores need for sustained investment and funding to ensure these lands and the wildlife they protect can meet growing demand.

“National wildlife refuges are central to how millions of hunters and anglers experience the outdoors, providing irreplaceable access while conserving critical wildlife habitat and supporting healthy ecosystems,” said Andrew Wilkins, director of land conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We appreciate the committee’s work to expand this access and ensure that more Americans can hunt, fish, and enjoy our beautiful public places. At the same time, we must invest in the long-term health of our refuges and ensure efforts to increase use are matched with increased funding for habitat restoration, staffing, and maintenance for public lands that are already stretched thin.”