Looking for new partners and new sources of funding for restoration projects? Have you tried the Farm Bill?
Dan Wrinn
National Director of Government Affairs
Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Washington, DC
This discussion being led by Dan Wrinn, National Director of Government Affairs for Ducks Unlimited will look at how “Farm Bills” over the last 50 years have changed to incentivize and invest more funds in habitat and ecosystem restoration. Usually passed by Congress every five years, the Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation covering everything from nutrition assistance programs to crop insurance to clean water. Most recently, more and more attention and funding has been steered toward conservation. This discussion will examine ways in which conservation organizations and wildlife groups can participate in the process of not only helping to shape the next farm bill but also utilize it to benefit local restoration efforts.
About Dan Wrinn
Dan Wrinn has served as the Director of Government Affairs for Ducks Unlimited since 2017. Prior to that he has held several positions in the organization dating back to 1994, when he served as DU’s first government affairs intern as a junior at the University of Connecticut. Dan has played critical rolls on major pieces of conservation and environmental legislation over his 25 years in Washington, DC, with a particular emphasis on passing “Farm Bills” that contain funding and provisions that protect, enhance and restore wetlands and waterfowl habitat. Dan also spends much of his time lobbying to ensure federal programs that conserve wildlife habitat are adequately funded. One example is the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. When Dan started in DC in the early 90’s this program received between $1 million to $10 million annually. Last year wetlands and waterfowl enthusiasts celebrated the $3 billionth, with a B, dollar that NAWCA has raised since its enactment in 1989. However, when asked what his favorite part of his job is he will respond instantly……..interns. “My internship literally changed my life. I had no idea there were careers like this out there. Helping young people connect their passions with their careers is amazing. I am lucky to play a role in that.” When he’s not working, you can usually find Dan, depending on the season, somewhere in the marshes and rivers of the Chesapeake Bay hunting and fishing or just getting away from Capitol Hill for a few hours.
