On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. While the 2023 rule defining “waters of the United States” was not directly before the Supreme Court, the decision in Sackett made clear that certain aspects of the 2023 rule were invalid. The amendments issued are limited and change only parts of the 2023 rule that are invalid under the Sackett v. EPA decision.

The conservation of fish and wildlife in the United States is a collaborative effort that relies heavily on funding from license and permit sales through state fish and wildlife agencies. Additionally, excise taxes associated with the manufacture and sale of certain products, such as firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing tackle, and boat fuel, play a significant role in funding conservation. These taxes are collected at the manufacturer or importer level and passed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (USFWS-WSFR) back to the state agencies based on annual license sales and the geographic size of the state. The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) has long-recognized the importance of these partnerships and has worked diligently to foster better relationships between state fish and wildlife agencies, the USFWS, and the excise tax-paying industry partners.

Coffee, adored by many around the globe, flourishes in over 80 tropical countries. Beyond its role as a morning ritual, its vast annual sales of more than $165 billion position it as a cornerstone of global trade. As this cherished commodity ripples through the world's economies, its significance is especially pronounced in developing nations, where, astoundingly, coffee can constitute over 80% of export revenues. New efforts to embrace shade-grown coffee illustrate how sustainable agriculture practices can be implemented using the vision of Conservation without Conflict.

Purdue University will host a new collaborative U.S. Geological Survey research unit focused on delivering actionable science addressing fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources in Indiana and beyond, including the connection between the health of wildlife and the health of people.