ABSTRACT: Effective fish and wildlife management requires meaningful interaction with all segments of society, not just the people who buy hunting and fishing licenses. States’ mission statements often reflect their broad responsibilities on behalf of all residents; however, significant segments of the public who do not hunt, fish, or enjoy wildlife may not be aware of their state fish and wildlife agency at all, much less its responsibilities, services, and benefits provided. This hinders states’ abilities to effectively communicate and engage with the public and deliver programs relevant to each state’s diverse range of communities. Through a grant awarded to MAFWA through the R3 committees and funded by a multi-state conservation grant program, midwestern states were surveyed to capture the opinions and perceptions of: 1) residents not engaged in traditional state-managed activities (fishing, hunting, boating and similar), 2) residents who do not engage in any outdoor activity, 3) residents who identify as traditional stakeholders. The results will help states better understand how the broader public perceives their conservation agency and how to implement efforts to increase public awareness, engagement, and support for conservation.
