Western Landowners Alliance Congratulates Brian Nesvik on Appointment as USFWS Director 

DENVER – The Western Landowners Alliance (WLA) congratulates Brian Nesvik on his confirmation as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As a career wildlife professional, lifelong hunter, and former Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Nesvik brings a deep and pragmatic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing wildlife and land management in the American West. 

“For this country, it is a great choice,” said Bob Budd, WLA board member and a longtime friend of Nesvik’s who runs the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, when Nesvik’s nomination was announced. “He’s so levelheaded and fair-minded. That’s what you’d ask for in any position like that, and that’s what people will see.” 

Nesvik’s appointment comes at a pivotal time, as private landowners across the West are navigating increased pressure from climate extremes, species listings, wildfire, and development. WLA sees this as a unique opportunity to strengthen partnerships between landowners and the agency to conserve habitat, recover species, and maintain working lands. 

“Brian has always been someone who listens and leads with common sense,” said Erik Kalsta, a Montana rancher and director of WLA’s Working Wild Challenge program. “We’re hopeful that under his leadership, USFWS will continue to build collaborative, locally grounded solutions that empower landowners to be active partners in wildlife conservation.” 

As an organization of landowners, WLA looks forward to working with Director Nesvik to advance conservation policies that are durable, science-based, and rooted in the realities of rural communities and working lands. 

Learn more about WLA’s work to support wildlife conservation on private lands at westernlandowners.org.