Pennsylvania
Constitutional mandate:
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people. [Article I, Section 27]
The Commission:
- Name: Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners
- Regulatory or advisory: Regulatory
- Number of voting members: 9
- Term length: 4 years; members may be reappointed for a maximum of two additional terms
- How selected: Appointed by Governor; a Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, created by executive order, is charged with recruiting commission candidates, reviewing their qualifications and recommending candidates for the Governor’s appointment. The Advisory Council consists of: “No more than 20 residents of this Commonwealth representing diverse interests, all of whom shall have a fundamental understanding of wildlife and the natural resources of this Commonwealth and respect hunting, trapping, angling and other outdoor recreational activities as valuable and accepted priorities in determining wildlife and natural resource management.”
- Senate confirmation required: Yes
- Selection criteria per statute:
“The independent administrative commission known as the Pennsylvania Game Commission shall consist of nine competent citizens of this Commonwealth who shall be well informed on the subject of wildlife conservation and restoration…The members of the commission shall be appointed from the various geographical sections of this Commonwealth so that one and only one shall be a resident of each of (nine) districts.”
- From the Commission’s website:
“Commissioners function as a board of directors, establishing policy for the agency. They are not agency employees. Although they are selected by district, they represent all Pennsylvanians and the state’s 480 species of wild birds and mammals.”
The Agency:
- Name: Pennsylvania Game Commission
- Type: Standalone agency
- Title of Agency Director: Director
- Selection process: Appointed by the Board of Game Commissioners
- Mission statement from agency website:
“Manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations.”
Revenue for Pennsylvania Game Commission (FY2022- 23)
Other: Game Law Fines (<1%), Sales of Timber (1%), Interest Income (4%), Game News Subscriptions (<1%), Misc. (1%)
Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission FY2022-23 Annual Report
America’s Wildlife Values was an extensive 2018 nationwide survey led by Colorado State University of public attitudes towards wildlife. Findings were compared with a 2004 survey to identify trends. Researchers also surveyed personnel at state wildlife agencies. Reports are available for national, state and agency results. (Some state agencies did not participate.)