Protecting wild places, restoring habitats, and supporting healthy wildlife populations requires science, stewardship, and the education of future conservation leaders.
This year, that mission takes an important step forward for the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF). OTF’s acquisition by Sporting Conservation International (SCI) (the parent corporation of Safari Club International) marks a major milestone for conservation education in the United States.
Together, OTF and SCI are building a future where every student gains the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to understand how wildlife thrives — and the essential role humans play in responsible conservation.
Wildlife conservation relies on science-based management, healthy habitats, and public engagement. Many OTF students are surprised to learn that one of the most effective conservation models in North America is the hunter-funded system, where excise taxes, license fees, and regulated harvest help pay for habitat restoration, species recovery, and wildlife research.
Ethical, regulated hunting also plays a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. It helps balance animal populations with available habitat, reduces the spread of disease, and prevents environmental damage caused by overpopulation. It is a foundational principle of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation — a framework OTF teaches in classrooms so students understand how conservation works and why it’s effective.
By teaching students how conservation works in real life, OTF and SCI are equipping the next generation to protect biodiversity, manage wildlife responsibly, and carry forward our outdoor heritage.
Sporting Conservation International unites hunters, anglers, scientists, and conservation groups to protect wildlife and wild places through science-backed advocacy and sustainable-use conservation. With a growing global network of affiliated organizations, it strengthens habitat protection, wildlife management, and conservation education.
Through this connection, OTF gains access to expanded resources, expertise, and real-world learning opportunities—giving students direct insight into modern wildlife management and empowering the next generation of responsible conservation leaders.
Continue reading the rest of this informative article at the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation website.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
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