The Alberta Fish and Game Association is dedicated to promote, through education, advocacy and programs, the conservation and utilization of fish and wildlife and to protect and enhance the habitat they depend upon.
Overview
The Alberta Fish and Game Association is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit charitable organization that advocates the common interests of ethical hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to the responsible stewardship of Alberta’s environment. The AFGA is recognized by all levels of government as the official spokespersons for organized hunters and anglers interested in the conservation of fish and wildlife.
The AFGA has been active since 1908 and registered in November of 1946 under the Alberta Societies Act.
The AFGA represents more than 70 affiliated clubs in cities, towns, and villages within the province. Members include a wide range of ages and a broad cross-section of present-day Alberta demographics. Policy and direction are established by a 17-member, volunteer Executive and the Association’s operations are managed through a head office in Edmonton by the Executive Director and staff.
The AFGA is a founding member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and maintains a fraternal relationship with all provincial affiliates.
Objectives:
It is the objective of the Alberta Fish and Game Association to:
- Promote conservation of our natural resources;
- Foster and promote the non-commercial harvest of fish and game as a legitimate part of an overall wildlife management program;
- Develop and promote educational and recreational programs and activities;
- Promote and assist in the sound long term management of Alberta’s fish and wildlife in the best interest of all Albertans including future generations;
- Insist on continued public ownership of all public lands and wildlife;
- Obtain and maintain access to public lands;
- Publicize the importance of fish and wildlife and proper resource management;
- Work with government, industry and other organizations in local programs, supporting the enhancement, development and maintenance of habitat for all species of fish and wildlife in Alberta;
- Lobby government and private agencies as necessary to safeguard the interest of fish, wildlife and other natural resources;
- Promote outdoor ethics and safety; and
- Make Albertans aware of the dangers of all forms of pollution, to prevent pollution, and to co-operate with all groups with similar objectives.
International Guiding Principles:
The AFGA adheres to the three international principles of resource conservation, developed by the World Conservation Strategy:
- Maintain essential ecological processes and life support systems.
- Preserve genetic diversity.
- Ensure the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.
Code of Ethics:
Ethical Outdoor Persons:
- Will know and strictly obey all fish and game laws and all other laws governing the conduct of the outdoors activity or recreation being pursued.
- Will support and actively participate in organizations concerned with the welfare of the resources upon which their recreations depend – the fish, the wildlife, the land, and the air and the water and shall always be vigilant that their knowledge of and skills in the recreation and understanding of the quarry, if any, are of the highest order and shall ensure that their own activities and those of others are not unfair and do not harm the resources generally.
- Will consider and respect the rights and concerns of the public generally and practice their recreations with strict observance of the rules (i.e. firearms safety in hunting).
- Will respect, preserve and protect private property, particularly the land, property and rights of private land owners.
- Will engage in their recreations only with other ethical participants and will treat those other participants with courtesy and respect, unless and until individuals demonstrate they are unworthy of such consideration.
- Will strive always, individually and through organizations, to pass on to the next generation the knowledge, skills and ethical traditions of various outdoors recreations.
Membership Categories:
There are six different classifications of AFGA Membership:
- Regular Membership: Open to any individuals 18 years of age and older.
- Family Membership: Open to families residing in the same household and includes a family head, spouse and any youth under the age of 18.
- Youth Membership: Open to any individuals under 18 years of age.
- Honourary Membership: Awarded by the Executive, this non-voting member is entitled to full participation in association activities.
- Life Membership: Awarded by the Executive, this membership is restricted to individuals who, through long service to the association or through other contributions to the aims and objectives of the association, merit in the opinion of the association, special recognition for their services. As such, these members are entitled to attend, participate in, and vote as a delegate-at-large at the annual general meeting.
AFGA Highlights
2022 – Operation Grassland Community Project Manager received prestigious Doug Clark Memorial Award.
2008 – The Alberta Fish and Game Association celebrated 100 years of Conservation success.
2003 – More than 220,000 acres of Alberta’s habitat are under protection, Management, or otherwise involved in Conservation practices through AFGA Programs.
2001 – Operation Grassland Community launches major Youth education program to raise the awareness of species at risk.
2000 – Parkland Stewardship Program helps agricultural producers understand surface water quality issues with a new on-farm water-testing program. 50th parcel of wildlife habitat secured through the Wildlife Trust Fund; a total of 30,000 acres protected to date.
1996 – Founded Parkland Stewardship Program to integrate wildlife conservation within environmentally-sustainable farm planning.
1994 – Operation Burrowing Owl Program expanded to Operation Grassland Community to raise the awareness of endangered Grassland wildlife.
1989 – Founded Operation Burrowing Owl program within Alberta.
1985 – First land secured for wildlife habitat with funds from AFGA Wildlife Trust Fund.
1984 – Development of the Habitat Steward and Heritage Farmstead Programs to recognize the conservation efforts of private land holders.
1983 – Established AFGA Wildlife Trust Fund to purchase significant wildlife habitats.
1970‘s – Key partner in Alberta’s first watershed restoration initiative; the Raven River Streambank Protection Project 1974. Founding partner in the Buck for Wildlife Fund (levy collected from hunting and angling licences to support habitat conservation projects).
1960‘s – Founded Alberta Hunter Education Program. Co-founded Outdoor Observer and Report a Poacher Program.
1950‘s – Coordinated relocation of elk from National Parks to re-establish wild herds throughout Alberta.
1940‘s – Instrumental in establishing a provincial wildlife protection legislation.
1930‘s – Key partner in the development of Ducks Unlimited in Alberta.
1929 -First AFGA annual conference.
1908 – First local hunting and fishing clubs form to cooperate on first wildlife enhancement projects in Alberta.