Wildlife, Water, Energy Issues to be Examined at Annual Fish and Wildlife Meeting
Contact: Kirsten Macintyre, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8911

Wildlife experts from across North America will converge in California this summer to explore issues related to the conservation and management of natural resources. Hosted by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the 2009 Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' (WAFWA) annual meeting, titled "Wildlife, Water and Energy: Balancing Our Future," will be held July 10-15 at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. WAFWA member states take turns hosting the association's meetings. The last time DFG hosted was in 1996.

"We are honored to welcome everyone to California," said DFG Director Donald Koch. "This meeting is designed to encourage collaborative efforts among state and federal agencies to address collective concerns facing natural resource managers in the West. We look forward to a productive conference."

Topics to be addressed during the five-day meeting include climate change, renewable energy, invasive species, human/wildlife conflicts, and stimulus money and fish work. Plenary session speakers include Anthony Barnosky from UC Berkeley who will talk about nature in an age of global warming; several prominent members of the Governor's cabinet who will discuss renewable energy, energy transmission and water delivery; industry representatives; and a distinguished panel of State Fish and Wildlife Directors from across the West.

Founded in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has been a key organization in the promotion of sound resource management principles and the strengthening of federal, state and private cooperation in protecting and managing fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The organization represents 23 states and Canadian provinces - an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles that is inhabited by more than 1,500 wildlife species.

For conference information, including registration and schedule information, visit the WAFWA Web site at http://www.wafwa.org/html/summer09.shtml