Why It Matters: Human Trends Affecting Wildlife
Changes in Arizona are perpetually impacting AZGFD priorities, direction and capacity. This all has to be managed within our legislative and funding authority.
The ability of the Department to adequately represent current public interests is being tested by an ongoing societal shift in the way people value and interact with wildlife.
The Department conserves game, sportfish and nongame wildlife species, primarily using revenues from discretionary spending of customers relating to hunting and fishing license sales. Participation in hunting and fishing has not kept pace with the growth of other forms of wildlife-related recreation, such as wildlife viewing. Although valuable and contributory to local economies, other forms of wildlife-related activities provide little direct revenue for the Department.
Although Arizona’s population is growing, revenue used for wildlife management is not keeping pace with management needs.
Fewer people are purchasing fishing and hunting licenses, which provide a significant amount of funding for managing all wildlife, both game and nongame.
Along with significant population growth, Arizona’s demographics are changing—the population is getting younger, more urban and less connected to outdoors. However, many people still enjoy wildlife and outdoor recreation. For example, shooting sports, both firearms and archery, are becoming more popular.
Tied to these trends is the increasing interest in providing input in how wildlife is managed. People have many different preferences for wildlife-related programs and services. Greater diversity in viewpoints has contributed to increased conflict, as well as contradictory social values among stakeholders.
Downtown Phoenix
Because of these dynamics, the Department will continue to endure challenges that affect funding and management authority through mechanisms such as legislation, ballot initiatives and public referenda. Adding to the challenges are demographic changes that have led to greater ethnic diversity and a more urbanized society. Historically, wildlife conservation agencies have not been responsive to diverse ethnic groups, which tend to be underrepresented in outdoor activities including wildlife-related recreation pursuits. Given the growing influence of minorities (U.S. Census, 2010), engaging those communities in the Department’s management is important to Arizona’s future.