Who We Are
Our Mission
To conserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife.
Our Legacy
Wildlife Forever is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation charity. Founded in 1987, Wildlife Forever has funded thousands of research and habitat restoration projects across North America. Signature programs focus on preventing invasive species, connecting youth to the outdoors through the Art of Conservation, and habitat restoration through Prairie City USA.
Art of Conservation
Art of Conservation supports Fish and Songbird Art Contests. For nearly 25 years, the Fish Art program has taught youth around the world about fish and aquatic conservation. The Songbird Art program, created in partnership with the Jay N. Darling Legacy Center, is focused on sharing the wonder and diversity of songbirds, as well as their conservation needs.
RESORATION
Prairie City USA
Prairie City USA™ is a community program to integrate prairie habitat restoration, demonstration projects and adoption of conservation best practices. Through civic leadership, public engagement and implementation of prairie-friendly policy, integrated prairie conservation practices will create significant benefits to the environment, to the city and to the people.
Clean Drain Dry Initiative
As our nation’s leader in the fight against invasive species, Wildlife Forever’s highly acclaimed Clean Drain Dry Initiative reaches millions of outdoor enthusiasts each year.
The public is the first line of defense in stopping the spread of invasive species on land and in the water. Clean Drain Dry is an efficient and effective public awareness and education outreach effort designed to enlist the support of the public and encourage them to take action.
EDUCATION
Our Conservation Efforts
PREVENTION
Racing for Wildlife
NASCAR racer Ward Burton and Wildlife Forever’s Doug Grann introduced the Racing For Wildlife® brand to race fans on May 15, 1998 as the eye-catching MBNA car #22 rolled into Charlotte Motor Speedway. At the press conference before the race, Burton told race fans about conservation and Wildlife Forever’s efforts to conserve our natural resources. Support from NASCAR fans help us conserve fish & wildlife.
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Acquisition of 32,340 acres of land for public recreation.
Wetland Restoration of more than 29,400 acres.
Construction and placement of more than 9,224 bird and waterfowl nesting structures.
Research utilizing radio telemetry and global positioning system with elk, grizzly bear, white-tailed deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, moose, goshawks and coaster brook trout.
132,420 trees planted in America’s national forests.
Stream improvements and riparian repair of over 194 miles.
Land Management practices including controlled burns, prairie restoration, shrubbery plantings, and reforestation efforts of more than 325,310 acres.
Fish hatchery support producing a yield of 30,371,109 fish stocked in public lakes and streams.
Placement of more than 130 Watchable Wildlife interpretive signs.
700 million hunters, anglers and youth educated on natural resource and habitat conservation.
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2016 Rise To The Future Award, Public Awareness, State-Fish Art Contest, Karen Hollingsworth, Manager, U.S. Forest Service
2015 Conservation Leadership, Partner of the Year Award, Bureau of Land Management & U.S. Forest Service
2011 32nd Annual Telly Awards, Playing Smart Against Invasive Species, DVD, Bronze, with U.S. Forest Service
2011 32nd Annual Telly Awards, Silent Invaders, Bronze, “Information”, with NAMG
2011 32nd Annual Telly Awards, Silent Invaders, Bronze “Wildlife/Nature”, with NAMG
2010 National Invasive Species Program Award: National Forest System, Education and Awareness on Invasive Species – Partner Award, U.S. Forest Service
2010 Bright Ideas Award, recognizing creative and promising government programs and partnership, Innovations in Government Program, Harvard Kennedy School
2010 Conservation Achievement Award, Fish Management Section, American Fisheries Society
2010 Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Leadership Award, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force
2010 Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award given in memory. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa and the Minnesota Invasive Species Council