The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
Shane MahoneyWhat does it really mean?
Volume 38, No.1, Summer 2019
Our attitudes toward wildlife are changing. More and more Americans view wildlife as human-like parts of their social networks, while fewer believe that wildlife should be managed to benefit people through activities such as hunting and fishing, which have seen participation declines in recent years. At the same time, wildlife viewing and other non-consumptive activities are on the rise.
These realities present challenges for the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which refers to a broad set of principles that have guided wildlife management in the United States and Canada for more than a century. This special issue of PERC Reports is devoted to understanding and addressing many of those challenges.
Last fall, PERC hosted a workshop that explored many of the examples and ideas discussed in this issue. The event assembled a wide variety of experts, including legal scholars, biologists, state and federal policymakers, and leading conservation and landowner organizations. Many of the articles in this issue are derived from, or inspired by, the workshop discussion.
In these articles, we explore these challenges and their implications for wildlife management today—with a willingness to rethink earlier approaches and to discuss ideas that are sometimes considered taboo. Along the way, we aim to promote and inspire fresh ideas to enhance wildlife management in the 21st century.
