CHEYENNE, Wyo— Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s office announced on Monday that the Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition raised about $1.1 million for wildlife conservation efforts in 2020 fundraising.
The funds were raised through the sale of Wyoming Governor’s complimentary big game licenses. The big game licenses include five bighorn sheep, five moose, ten deer/elk/antelope and five wild bison licenses. Revenues raised in 2020 exceeded all prior years of fundraising.
“The record amount of funding raised in 2020 is a clear indication of just how much people value Wyoming’s wildlife,” Gordon said. “I am grateful for the contributions from hunters for projects that sustain our state’s iconic species, as well as the organizations who put these funds on the ground.”
The coalition has raised over $9.8 million since it was formed in 2003, according to Gordon’s office.
“The coalition allocates the funds for a variety of wildlife conservation projects through committees that focus on wildlife species-specific initiatives: elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose and an all-wildlife committee,” the governor’s office said. “Projects are diverse, including habitat improvements, conservation easements, research, and projects to facilitate wildlife movements across roadways.”
“When licenses are sold the revenue is solely dedicated to wildlife conservation, with 90% of the proceeds going back to the Coalition and the remaining 10% staying within the selling organization. Governor Gordon refined the allocation in 2020 to cut administrative costs, resulting in the availability of an additional $110,000 to dedicate to important on-the-ground work and additional project funding for wildlife.”
Out-going Governor’s Big Game License Coalition Chair Justin Binfet said that the coalition works to market and sell the donated licenses and then shares the funding generated to support projects across the state.
“The Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition is remarkable because it brings a considerable amount of money to the table and has strong support and participation from a diverse group of leading conservation organizations in Wyoming,” Binfet said. “This model, founded under Gov. Freudenthal and continued by Gov. Mead and Gov. Gordon, should be lauded for the considerable resources it has leveraged to support Wyoming’s wildlife.”
Organizations participating in conservation efforts through the program include:
- the Mule Deer Foundation
- Muley Fanatics Foundation
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
- Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation
