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Reimagining Wildlife Governance: Building Momentum for Change 2024 Annual Report

LfDor A LLL I FE I W

LD LI W I fo r A L L F E

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Executive Director Michelle Lute

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Where We’ve Been

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Year in Review

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A Celebration of Kevin Bixby

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By The Numbers

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Fighting for Change

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Activating Advocates

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Looking Ahead: 2025

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Financial Reports Ways to Stay Involved

Our mission Wildlife for All is a national movement to reform state wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate, and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems.

Democratic: Because wildlife is held in the public trust, and everyone should have a voice in wildlife decisions.

Just: Because wild animals deserve to be treated fairly as members of the community of life.

Compassionate: Because wild animals are sentient beings worthy of our empathy and respect.

Our vision We envision a future where wildlife governance is transparent, equitable, and science-based, ensuring that ecosystems thrive and all species are respected and valued for their intrinsic worth.

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LETTER FROM MICHELLE Dear Wildlife for All friends and family, As a scientist and lifelong advocate for nature, I have always been driven by a deep conviction that conservation is not merely about safeguarding species—it’s about weaving the intricate connections between humans, animals, and the environment into a harmonious whole.

And yet, at the start of 2025, it feels like we’re a long way away from harmony, with fellow citizens, our government, and wild nature. This year marks a pivotal moment in our approach to wildlife governance. The work we do together in the coming years is not only about wonky, arcane policy-making, but collectively creating a brighter future for wildlife and future generations. This past year, Wildlife for All made significant strides in reimagining how we protect nature and empower communities to for true conservation and protection of our wild heritage.

Throughout 2024, we saw a surge of momentum in our work—momentum that was catalyzed by the unwavering commitment of our supporters, partners, and advocates. From grassroots efforts to policy reforms, our collective efforts made an undeniable impact.

inward and invested in our most valuable asset—our people— by building capacity, refining our processes, and stabilizing our internal infrastructure. These efforts are essential for ensuring that every action we take is purposeful and impactful, maximizing our ability to drive change in wildlife governance that reflects the needs of the species and communities we seek to protect.

As we celebrate our progress, we are acutely aware of the path that lies ahead. The work of transforming wildlife governance requires continued vigilance, unwavering dedication, and a bold vision for a future where decisionmaking prioritizes the well-being of all species and communities.

In the pages that follow, you will find not only the results of our advocacy but also a testament to the power of collaboration, hope, and a shared vision.

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your support and belief in the power of collective action drive us forward every single day.

In service and solidarity,

In order to sustain the momentum of our work, it was imperative that we turned Michelle Lute Executive Director

2024 Annual Report

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WHERE WE’VE BEEN A month-by-month review of 2024

January – Advancing New Mexico Governance Reform With partners, we reintroduced commission reform legislation, laying the groundwork for a 2025 victory.

February – Supporting Vermont’s Reform Bill We supported a bill to reform wildlife management that passed the state senate but stalled in the house.

March – Revealing Pittman-Robertson Our webinar demystified the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson federal funding programs.

April – New Hire: Membership Coordinator We welcomed Delani Delgado to work on supporter engagement and retention to sustain momentum.

May – Highlighting Predator Torture We launched a campaign on the Wyoming wolf run over with a snowmobile, sparking national attention.

June – Coalition Expansion We expanded our network of partner organizations, increasing our collective impact and broadening reach.

July – Attended SCB Congress Deepening work with the Society for Conservation Biology inspired a 2025 SCB policy webinar series.

August—New Hire: Communications Director We welcomed Mandy Culbertson to lead culture and narrative work and strategic advocacy messaging.

September – Campaign Launches We launched our Advocacy Toolkit and campaigns for ballot initiatives in Colorado and Florida.

October – Educating on State Wildlife Action Plans We hosted webinar on the impact of State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), to empower citizen advocacy.

November – Board Expansion We welcomed Kavya Parsa to the board, an expert in environmental law and wildlife rehabilitation.

December – Strategic Engagement Across States Through targeted action alerts and several impactful state-based town halls, we pushed for wildlife policy reform across multiple states.

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2024 HIGHLIGHTS

2024 was a transformative year for Wildlife for All, marking substantial progress in wildlife governance reform.

Conducted survey research to understand advocates’ experiences, priorities, and perceptions on wildlife governance reform.

Produced a detailed report to inform strategies.

Onboarded nine active interns and volunteers, enriching programs and strengthening the movement. Several interns and volunteers completed their terms and moved on to further conservation work.

Reduced expenses by transitioning to a fully remote model.

Secured new grants from three foundations.

Updated brand with a new brand book, templates for letterheads and slide decks, and refreshed logo files.

Launched the SWAP (State Wildlife Action Plan) campaign with a primer, toolkit, and resources to drive involvement.

Hosted a webinar introducing SWAPs to advocates for effective engagement.

Organized three highly attended webinars on topics like Pittman-Robertson/Dingell-Johnson Grant Programs, reforming the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and opposing Right to Hunt ballot measures.

Presented two webinars hosted by the Wolf Conservation Center on state policy in wolf conservation.

Contributed in multiple state and local media articles and were quoted in Rolling Stone’s investigative piece on wildlife-killing contests.

Presented at various conferences, including the North American Society for Conservation Biology, Washington Wildlife First convention, and Humane Society of the United States’ Taking Action for Animals.

Featured in an upcoming documentary project by the filmmakers behind An Inconvenient Truth.

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A CELEBRATION OF KEVIN BIXBY At Wildlife for All, we believe in the power of collaboration and diverse voices coming together to create lasting change. Each supporter, whether they are an advocate, donor, coalition partner, or volunteer, plays an essential role in advancing our mission. This year, we’re celebrating our founder, Kevin Bixby, who retired at the end of January 2025.

We thank Kevin for his monumental contributions to the mission of compassionate wildlife conservation for over three decades.

In 1991, Kevin founded the Southwest Environmental Center (SWEC) in Las Cruces, New Mexico, focusing on grassroots conservation efforts to protect the region’s diverse ecosystems. Through his work, he identified a fundamental and systemic issue: wildlife management in the U.S. is deeply flawed, prioritizing narrow interests over ecological integrity and broad public values.

Recognizing the urgent need for reform, Kevin spearheaded the transformation of SWEC into Wildlife for All as a national movement. His relentless advocacy and willingness to expose entrenched and undemocratic systems laid the foundation for a growing movement

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that is reforming outdated policies and reshaping wildlife protection nationwide.

Kevin’s pioneering role in launching this movement shows remarkable leadership and vision. His example of challenging the status quo of wildlife governance remains an important part of our organization’s history and its future focus. His unwavering dedication to conservation, justice, and ethical stewardship has inspired countless advocates to push for governance that is accountable to the public, rooted in science, and guided by compassion.

Kevin’s legacy is a clarion call to action: to build a future where both humans and animals thrive under a system that honors the public trust, values biodiversity, and ensures that wildlife management serves all—not just a select few.

MEASURING SUCCESS In 2024, we expanded our reach and deepened work with our community.

and the growing support for our wildlife governance reform efforts.

Hundreds of supporters tuned in to take action on critical wildlife issues. Our emails consistently achieved an impressive open rate of 40%, far surpassing the industry average, reflecting the strength of our communications but also our ability to rally supporters for urgent actions.

Webinars also played a central role in connecting with our community. We consistently saw over 50 attendees at each of our sessions, where we delved into important issues. The strong turnout at these events is a testament to the growing interest in our work and the effectiveness of our educational initiatives in mobilizing supporters for lasting change.

Our growth wasn’t limited to email. We also saw exceptional results on social media, where our presence and influence grew exponentially, which speaks to the increasing momentum behind our mission

Together, these numbers tell the story of an organization gaining traction, reaching new audiences, and expanding its influence in the movement.

By the numbers Growth in online audience and email interactions translated into more participation in wildlife commission meetings and advocacy efforts.

1900% 1900% increase in views on Instagram 925%

925% increase in link clicks on Instagram

691%

691% increase in reach on Facebook

579%

579% increase in reach on Instagram

267%

267% increase in followers on Facebook

40%

40% Average email open rate (nonprofit industry standard is 25-30%)

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HOLDING THE LINE IN STATES In 2024, Wildlife for All collaborated with dedicated partners and advocates across the country to push forward transformative initiatives that protect wildlife and promote equitable governance. These partnerships exemplify the power of collective action to bring about meaningful change.

New Mexico Governance Reform This year, we’re continuing to lead efforts to modernize New Mexico’s wildlife commission, pushing for reforms that would bring more science-based and equitable policies to the forefront.

The bill was introduced in January and we’re poised for successful passage by laying the groundwork: we’ve grown our coalition, refined the message, talked with legislators and are ready to make this reform a reality in 2025.

the state wildlife commission. We also hosted a town hall with supporters, fostering dialogue and mobilizing supporters to demand a more democratic and science-based approach to wildlife governance.

Florida NoTo2 and Coalition Building

Wyoming Snowmobile Campaign

In Florida, Wildlife for All played a pivotal role in opposing Amendment 2 and supporting efforts to build a coalition dedicated to advocating for wildlifefriendly policies. This collaboration brought together a diverse group of stakeholders unified in their commitment to protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

In Wyoming, we partnered with local advocates and organizations to hold the working group appointed by the governor accountable to public demand after the horrific incident of wolf torture in Daniel in the spring. We set framing widely picked up and used by advocates and organizations and drove comments for the working group’s final meeting.

Colorado Advocacy On Multiple Fronts Colorado was a hotspot for advocacy in 2024. We were deeply engaged in supporting Proposition 127, drove comments on wolf and mountain lion management plans and initiatives, and set framing and messaging surrounding a trophy hunting groups’ lawsuit against

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Trapping Awareness Initiatives Wildlife for All continued to raise awareness about the dangers of trapping through creative campaigns. Educational stickers and marking flags were distributed to inform the public about the risks of traps to both wildlife and pets.

Additionally, we issued a press release with advisory board members and partners challenging outdated Best Management Practices (BMPs) for trapping, calling for more humane and science-driven standards that we are currently shaping into an investigative piece with a freelance reporter.

Hounding in Arizona In Arizona, we supported efforts to address the unethical practice of hounding, which involves the use of dogs to chase and hunt wildlife. Through education and advocacy with our coalition partners, we helped raise awareness about the ecological and ethical consequences of this practice and are building a larger effort on this front in 2025.

Protecting Mountain Lions in Nevada We’re working with Nevada advocates to bring attention to the issue of incidental trapping, where non-target species, including pets, are often harmed. These efforts are increasing public scrutiny of trapping regulations and practices in the state and will be heard at the January 2025 Nevada Wildlife Commission meeting (outcome not available at time of print).

Washington Right to Hunt Campaign

Digital Campaign

In Washington, we stood firm against the “Right to Hunt” (SJR 8208) amendment,

which would have weakened wildlife protections. Thanks to the actions from supporters and our successful opposition, we helped defeat the bill, ensuring that wildlife management remains grounded in science and the public interest.

Advocacy in Other States We’ve been advancing governance reform and transparency including petitioning the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to ban hounding, rallying against Montana’s wolf trapping plan near the Bitterroot National Forest, and driving democratic, public input for Virginia and Tennessee wildlife commissions. We’ve supported New Hampshire legislative planning, helped Vermont, Wyoming, and Washington find commissioners, and driven feedback on Colorado’s mountain lion and Idaho’s black bear management plans.

These accomplishments demonstrate the breadth of Wildlife for All’s partnerships and the collective power of advocates working to reimagine wildlife governance and conservation across the United States.

We may not yet have big, headlinegrabbing victories through lawsuits or enacted legislation, but we’re steadily building momentum, holding the line in states across the country, and positioning ourselves for transformative wins in 2025 and beyond.

Advocacy Toolkit We launched our Advocacy Toolkit to demystify state wildlife governance and equip advocates with the tools to drive meaningful change.

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110 total downloads to date 100% of readers reported it deepened their understanding 2024 Annual Report

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LOOKING AHEAD: 2025 Advancing Governance Reform As we move into 2025, Wildlife for All is poised to build on the momentum of 2024’s successes. A key priority is pushing forward groundbreaking wildlife governance reform legislation in New Mexico. Our work in this state will serve as a model to inspire and guide similar efforts across the country. By supporting other states in their legislative reform work, we aim to create a ripple effect of positive change in wildlife management systems nationwide.

Shifting Culture and Narrative Changing how society perceives and values wildlife is critical to our mission. In 2025, we will focus on reshaping the cultural narratives surrounding wolves, grizzly bears, and cougars because they are some of the most maligned and vulnerable animals, especially where they are under state management. Through strategic storytelling and public engagement, we aim to foster greater empathy and understanding of these species and the ecosystems they sustain, building from these concepts into governance reform conversations.

Activating Supporters Engaging and activating supporters will remain central to our strategy. We plan to mobilize advocates around wildlife commission meetings in all states every month, ensuring public voices are consistently heard in these critical decision-making spaces. We will implement a media plan to spotlight commission openings, elevating opportunities for leadership that reflects our values.

Building People Power Effective change requires both mobilization and long-term organizing. While mobilizing involves immediate action, organizing builds sustained people power. In 2025, we will focus on growing our base of advocates into a powerful movement that can influence policy and cultural attitudes for years to come.

Wildlife for All’s vision for 2025 is bold yet grounded in the progress we’ve already made. We will create a brighter future for wildlife, the ecosystems they inhabit, and interconnected human communities who rely on them.

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FINANCIAL REPORTS INCOME

2.5%

Membership

45.0% Foundations

52.5% Donations

Wildlife for All exists because of you—our passionate supporters who believe in a future where wildlife is conserved for the benefit of all. Your dedication fuels our fight for a more just, science-driven approach to wildlife governance, where biodiversity is valued, and communities have a voice. Thanks to you, momentum is growing, and real change is within reach. We are honored to stand alongside you in this movement.

12%

Fundraising

8%

Administrative

EXPENSES

80%

Programmatic

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LfDor A LLL I FE I W Wildlife for All PO Box 1495 Pena Blanca, NM 87041 wildlifeforall.us

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