Photo by Conservation Media
Committed to protecting the future of hunting and wildlife conservation, the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife (NNDFW) has joined as the 50th partner of the North American Non-lead Partnership. The Peregrine Fund, the Oregon Zoo, and the Institute for Wildlife Studies co-founded the North American Non-Lead Partnership (the Partnership) in 2018 to promote overall ecosystem health and wildlife conservation while protecting our hunting heritage. Members of the Partnership work collaboratively with the community to assist hunters' choice of actions that reduce the potential for lead poisoning in scavengers that feed on the remains of shot animals. The Partnership will continue to work with the community alongside partners including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the NNDFW to build efforts that support hunters in creating a stronger future for hunting and wildlife.
“We are excited to welcome the Navajo Nation to the Partnership and the ongoing work across the southwest in pursuing a sustainable and active future for hunters that allows the continued harvest of valuable food while caring for the entire landscape as part of hunting,” said Chris Parish, President and CEO of The Peregrine Fund and co-founder of the Partnership.
The positive relationship between hunting and wildlife for people across North America relies on finding ways to minimize unintentional impacts on wildlife that feed on the remains of animals that have been shot with lead core ammunition.
The Partnership works together with hunters to build programs that support the voluntary choice of ammunition that reduces the risk to wildlife. The Navajo people (the Diné) may benefit from information on ammunition options and other efforts to support the continuation of hunting and reduction of accidental lead poisoning in wildlife.
“We are encouraged by the support and enthusiasm of other members of the Partnership and look forward to continuing our long-standing collaboration with our state counterparts such as AZGFD,” said Gloria Tom, (retired) Department Manager of the NNDFW.
“Promoting the voluntary use of lead-free ammunition for hunting in the Navajo Nation is an individual action that keeps with Navajo tradition and cultural teachings of respect and common-sense stewardship of our wildlife resources. Joining the Partnership marks a monumental step forward in the conservation of treasured wildlife such as eagles, hawks, Turkey Vultures, and California Condors,” said Brent Powers, Wildlife Manager for the Navajo Natural Heritage Program (Nongame Wildlife Program under the NNDFW).
The NNDFW has a long history of working directly with Navajo Chapters and communities to care for the land and wildlife. Joining the Partnership and the ongoing regional efforts provides additional opportunities to support the Navajo Nation and build efforts that recognize and continue the beliefs and traditions that build a more sustainable future in cooperation with the community and other partners. Caring for species across the Navajo Nation homelands makes the people and culture more resilient to the many challenges faced by the ecosystem. Working together with the community creates a stronger bond between the active participants on the landscape and actions that support the future of the Navajo Nation and wildlife.
"The NNDFW has a long history of partnering with the AZGFD on wildlife health, conservation opportunities, and areas of mutual interest. We are excited to welcome the NNDFW to the North American Non-lead Partnership and the strong coalition of growing partners," said Clay Crowder, the Assistant Director of AZGFD's Wildlife Management Division. "Having the sovereign Navajo Nation join the Partnership highlights how essential wildlife health is for our collective conservation goals."
