OHIO CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Ohio’s outdoor heritage, wildlife, water, and habitat need effective conservation leadership.
While there are many groups doing good work in the state, the Ohio Conservation Federation is the coalition of national, regional, and statewide sportsman’s-leaning conservation organizations.
Collectively, the power and effectiveness of our member organizations have the clout and influence necessary for effective communication, education, and advocacy with decision makers in our state capital and across the nation.

2024 OCF Priorities

Ohio Conservation Federation’s initiatives are varied and vast. Here are a few of the priorities we’ve set for 2024.

Promote Habitat Conservation

Support efforts to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act through Congress in 2024, as well as a strong and enhanced Farm Bill that includes robust funding for the Conservation Title and the expansion of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program into the Miami River watershed. Support continued funding and implementation of H2Ohio.

Fight Chronic Wasting Disease

Support aggressive management, research, and funding strategies to curtail the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Ohio, including implementation of the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act.

Fight Invasive Species

Partner with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies to stop further expansion of invasive carps into the Great Lakes and eradicate Grass carp from Lake Erie.

Increase Access & Opportunity

Support capital dollars and other funding for maintenance and improvement of property open to and for public recreational use such as ranges, dams, impoundments, and access points, and conservation and habitat protection measures that increase opportunities for hunting, fishing, and trapping.

View all 2020 Initiatives

2024 OCF Initiatives

Ohio Conservation Federation’s initiatives are varied and vast. Here’s a few of the priorities we’ve set for 2020.

Fight Invasive Species

Partner with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies to support efforts to eradicate Grass carp in Lake Erie and build support for the Brandon Road Plan to prevent further spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.

Restore the Division of Wildlife

Support long-term sustainable funding for the Ohio Division of Wildlife and capitol dollars and other funding for maintenance and improvement of property open to and for public recreational use such as ranges, dams, impoundments and access points.

Increase Access and Opportunity

Encourage the State of Ohio, the Department of Natural Resources, and other entities in support of additional acquisition of AEP ReCreation Land available for hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Promote Habitat Conservation Programs

Secure state match for Scioto and Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and other Farm Bill conservation funding. Support implementation and continuation of H2Ohio.

Fight Invasive Species

Partner with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to develop an eradication strategy for Grass Carp in Lake Erie and build support for the Brandon Road Plan to prevent the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.

Restore the Division of Wildlife

Support a license fee increase to provide sustaining funding for the Ohio Division of Wildlife and capitol dollars for maintenance and improvement of property open to and for public recreational use such as ranges, dams and impoundments.

Increase Access and Opportunity

Encourage the State of Ohio, the Department of Natural Resources, and other entities in support of additional acquisition of AEP ReCreation Land available for hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Promote Habitat Conservation Programs

Secure state match for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to target high-priority conservation concerns in the Scioto and Lake Erie Watersheds through establishing resource conserving upland and riparian habitat.

OCF In Action

Great LakesWater Quality
February 7, 2024

New Bill Boosts Great Lakes Investment

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition Contact: Lindsey Bacigal, BacigalL@nwf.org, (734) 887-7113 Bipartisan legislation from Great Lakes congressional leaders sets stage for accelerated progress to protect drinking water, public health, and Great Lakes. ANN ARBOR, MICH. (February…
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EducationHunting
September 17, 2023

Conservation Groups Urge Support of Bipartisan Solution to Hunter Education Funding

Conservation Groups Urge Support of Bipartisan Solution to Hunter Education Funding Mary Jo Brooks Sep 13, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Wildlife Federation and more than 30 of its affiliates urged Congress to swiftly enact…
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Testimony
March 28, 2023

OCF Delivers Proponent Testimony for Forestry & Wildlife Budgets

On March 23rd, OCF Executive Director Matt Misicka delivered proponent testimony on behalf of Governor DeWine's proposed FY24-25 biennium budget (HB 33) for the Ohio Division of Forestry and the Ohio Division of Wildlife.  The text…
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FishGreat LakesWater Quality
March 27, 2023

OCF in DC to Advocate for Great Lakes, Drinking Water, and Farm Bill

Great Lakes Day 2023 As part of Great Lakes 2023, OCF Executive Director Matt Misicka joined colleagues from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to urge members of Congress to support federal investments that…
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ConservationGreat LakesRecovering America's Wildlife Act
December 7, 2021

Governor DeWine Signs Great Lakes Governors Letter to Protect America’s Wildlife  

Governor DeWine Signs Great Lakes Governors Letter to Protect America’s Wildlife Governor Mike DeWine, along with Great Lakes Governors Whitmer (D-MI), Evers (D-WI), Wolf (D-PA), Holcomb (R-IN), Walz (D-MN), and Pritzker (D-IL), has sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate…
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Chronic Wasting Disease
October 20, 2021

New Legislation Would Address Deadly Disease Facing Deer, Elk, Moose

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 19, 2021) — A new bill would provide critical investments to study and stop the spread of chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease threatening deer, elk, and moose populations in the United States.…
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