government relations

Strengthening Connections Where Policy Takes Shape

Building relationships with congressional and agency decision-makers in Washington, D.C., is a long-standing core function of the IWJV and its Government Relations Committee. These efforts help ensure that wildlife habitat conservation remains a priority at the federal level.

Join Our Newsletter
A photo of the nation's capitol highlighting IWJV's government relations.

How We Make an Impact

Securing Federal Support

Core funding for Joint Ventures comes through the USFWS Migratory Bird Joint Venture program (DOI Budget – USFWS – NAWMP – Line 1234). Since the late 1980s, IWJV has worked with the Association of Joint Venture Management Boards to maintain and grow this support.

Expanding Access for Partners

We balance habitat conservation with multiple natural resource benefits. By using science to inform decisions, we ensure that conservation efforts are both effective and sustainable for people and wildlife alike.

Championing Bipartisan Conservation Policies

To scale our impact beyond base funding, the IWJV advocates for additional funding sources and bipartisan policies that enable large-scale, science-driven habitat conservation.

The IWJV executes a robust government relations strategy that involves the following approaches:

Ensure Consistent Engagement

This entails an annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., additional in-person meetings, partnership efforts to carry IWJV messages regularly and highlight critical issues and solutions from the western U.S., and collaboration with others to ensure real-time insights around national decision-making.

Cultivate Strategic Relationships

This involves participating in partner events in the Intermountain West that host D.C. congressional members and staff, joining/supporting partners on field tours, and using IWJV communications capacity to highlight local projects to respective legislatures.

Drive Funding to Strategic Conservation Delivery

The IWJV’s relationships and organizational structure connect federal funding to on-the-ground conservation implementation. We support implementation by utilizing intra-/interagency agreements and other funding tools to build capacity and offer science to implementation and strategic communications. This work also helps to leverage private partnerships to further federal funding.

Sustaining Momentum Through Trusted Relationships

The success of the IWJV’s government relations work relies on the time, energy, and connections of dedicated partners. Each year, we build on that momentum—engaging congressional and agency leaders through strong relationships and western-based forums.