The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (WAFWA) objectives – as set forth in its Constitution and Bylaws –  are (a) to protect the right of jurisdiction of the  western states over their wildlife resources on public and private lands; (b) to scrutinize carefully state and federal wildlife legislation and regulations and to offer opposition to or support for legislative proposals or federal regulations that are deemed necessary to the best interests of the members; (c) to consult with and make recommendations to the federal wildlife and public land agencies in order that federal wildlife management programs and programs involving federal aid to the western states shall be so conducted as to be in the best interests of the western states; and (d) to serve as a clearinghouse for the exchange of ideas concerning wildlife management and research techniques.

To further our objectives, we accept government agency, corporate, industry, organizational, and individual sponsorships and booth exhibits under strict guidelines.

While WAFWA intends to follow the guidelines described in this policy, whether to accept any sponsorship from, or affiliation with, any organization is solely within WAFWA’s discretion. This policy does not create any right for any third party to sponsor or be affiliated with WAFWA and cannot be relied on by any third party for that or any similar purpose.

We will refuse any sponsorship or messaging that we believe is incompatible with that of our mission or the missions of our member state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies or other partners. The WAFWA will not solicit or accept sponsorships from government agencies, corporations, organizations, or individuals whose practices, policies, or operations are deemed unacceptable and/or contrary to the values implicit in our objectives, as articulated in our mission, constitution, bylaws, resolutions and policies.

The WAFWA welcomes the support of sponsors or exhibitors for organizational efforts subject to the following guidelines:

• The WAFWA will not accept sponsorships or exhibits that reflect in a negative manner on the WAFWA, do not align with its mission statement, or are not in the best interest of the organization as determined by the Executive Committee, Board or Directors or their designees.

• The WAFWA will not accept sponsorships or exhibits from any entities or individuals that are opposed to fish and wildlife conservation measures, which may include having taken positions in opposition to any kind of hunting, fishing or trapping activities.

• The WAFWA does not accept sponsorships for certain categories of products and services, including any illegal products or services (i.e. drugs and drug paraphernalia, sexual escort services) or products  or services that may be considered inappropriate for, or inconsistent with, the relevant setting (tobacco products or establishments, alcohol) as determined in the WAFWA’s sole discretion.

• The WAFWA reserves the right to reject or remove a sponsor’s or exhibitor’s printed materials, booths, signage, or other commonly used materials if those materials are incompatible with the WAFWA’s mission or the missions of our member state fish and wildlife agencies.

o The sponsor or exhibitor shall be asked to remove the materials. The WAFWA may remove the materials, but will not be responsible for damage, if the sponsor or exhibitor refuses.

• The Executive Director shall make the decisions related to the application and enforcement of the provisions of this policy and these guidelines, at his/her sole discretion. After the Executive Director’s decision, a WAFWA member may ask the Executive Director to refer the matter to the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee, which shall make the final decision.

• The WAFWA retains complete control over any sponsored program, and sponsors shall not have any input into operational matters relating to a project they have sponsored.

Questions on this policy may be directed to the WAFWA Executive Director by phone at 208-331-9431 or by email at wafwa.admin@wafwa.org.  Mail correspondence can be sent to WAFWA Headquarters, PO Box 190150, Boise, ID 83719.

Unanimously adopted by the WAFWA Executive Committee on January 26, 2016