For Immediate Release (December 18, 2024)
Contact: Ryan Roberts, rroberts@fishwildlife.org

The National Fish Habitat Partnership Board (Board) is seeking nominations from organizations or individuals whose work and interests include fisheries and aquatic habitat conservation to fill vacant seats on the Board. The Board views the diversity of its members and their respective organizations as critical to our conservation mission to protect, restore, and enhance our country’s fish and aquatic communities through a network of partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people. We are seeking representatives from a variety of sectors, as outlined in the 2020 America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE Act) Section 203(b)(5), to help the Board implement the vision and requirements of the ACE Act and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.

The Board is responsible for carrying out a cooperative nationwide program to protect, restore, and enhance, the habitats of the nation’s marine and freshwater fish populations. The Board is a voluntary association of public and private sector entities that serves as the body overseeing the implementation of Title II of the ACE Act and Action Plan. As outlined in the ACE Act, the Board facilitates coordination of fish habitat conservation efforts through twenty Fish Habitat Partnerships across the U.S. that focus on specific geographic regions, species, or habitat types and use an evidence-based, scientific approach to conserve fish habitat.

The Board is soliciting nominations for four seats representing different sectors, as listed below.

Representative Seat(s)

1. Corporate Industry/ Term Limit: 3 Years
   • Term Expiration Date: February 7, 2027
2. Marine Recreational Anglers / Term Limit: 3 Years
   • Term Expiration Date: February 7, 2027
3. A Representative from any of the following (i-vi)/ Term Limit: 3 Years
   • Term Expiration Date: February 7, 2027
     • (i) the recreational sportfishing industry;
     • (ii) the commercial fishing industry;
     • (iii) marine recreational anglers;
     • (iv) freshwater recreational anglers;
     • (v) habitat conservation organizations; and
     • (vi) science-based fishery organizations;
4. Local Government Representative involved in fish habitat/ Term Limit: 3 Years
   • Term Expiration: February 7, 2027

Following the expiration of a Board member term, the Board will solicit nominations for a new representative. Existing Board members in the expiring seats are eligible for re-nomination and re-election to additional terms, and all serve until replaced. Members are expected to participate in annual meetings which include, at minimum, two in-person and two virtual meetings along with additional work on Board committees and workgroups that facilitate the success of NFHP. Board members generally fund their own travel to meetings, but travel support by NFHP could be made available.

Individuals interested in filling any of the above vacant Board seats should submit a letter of interest and vitae to info@fishhabitat.org by the close of business on January 16, 2024. The letter of interest should include which seat they are seeking, interests, experience, and skills to support active participation in and engagement on the Board. All applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt from the info@fishhabitat.org email address. The current Board will review applications and vote to install new Board members in February 2024.

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About the National Fish Habitat Partnership:
Since 2006, the National Fish Habitat Partnership has supported over 1,300 projects benefiting fish habitat in all 50 states. The National Fish Habitat Partnership works to conserve fish habitat nationwide, leveraging federal, state, tribal, and private funding resources to achieve the greatest impact on fish populations through priority conservation projects of 20 regionally based Fish Habitat Partnerships. Learn more at https://fishhabitat.org

Ryan Roberts
National Fish Habitat Partnership Program Manager

Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
1100 First Street, NE (Suite 825)
Washington, DC 20002
PH: 202-838-3466
www.fishhabitat.org