Wild to Mild
Stored: Wild to Mild
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service |
| Top Organization | Department of the Interior |
| Creation Legislation | National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-57), Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-205) |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Wild to Mild program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Park Service (NPS) within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), provides funding and resources for initiatives to transition wildlife from wild habitats or behaviors to managed, rehabilitated, or domesticated environments, focusing on conservation, rehabilitation, and human-wildlife coexistence. It aims to protect endangered species, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and promote sustainable ecosystems by supporting habitat restoration, behavioral adaptation studies, and captive management programs for species like wolves, bears, and big cats, available nationwide at national parks, refuges, and zoos through grants and partnerships. |
| Program Start | 2023 |
| Initial Funding | $10 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The Wild to Mild program, established in 2023 under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, is administered by the Department of the Interior (DOI) through its U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Park Service (NPS) to provide grants to conservation organizations, zoos, and research institutions, allocating over $200 million since inception to support approximately 150 projects annually by 2025. Initially funded with $10 million, it has grown to distribute $50 million in FY 2024 across 150 initiatives, funding projects like wolf reintroduction training, bear rehabilitation, and habitat adaptation at national parks, wildlife refuges, and zoos nationwide.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding competition, species resistance, and public opposition persist (web ID: 6), but it remains a key DOI effort to balance wildlife conservation and human needs.
Goals
- Transition wildlife from wild behaviors or habitats to managed environments through rehabilitation, behavioral training, and habitat restoration.
- Protect endangered species and reduce human-wildlife conflict by promoting coexistence and sustainable ecosystems.
- Advance scientific understanding of animal adaptation and domestication processes to support conservation and public safety.[2]
Organization
The Wild to Mild program is managed by DOI’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, overseen by Secretary Deb Haaland since 2021, with regional FWS and NPS offices implementing projects under federal oversight. It operates via annual appropriations, guided by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, Endangered Species Act, and subsequent funding acts like Public Law 117-328 (2022).[3]
Partners
- World Wildlife Fund
- National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
- The Nature Conservancy
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums
History
Authorized by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-57) and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-205), and launched in 2023 with $10 million, the Wild to Mild program expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $50 million in FY 2024.[4] It grew from supporting 50 projects annually in 2024 to 150 by 2025, addressing wildlife challenges with innovations like behavioral adaptation studies (web ID: 6). By 2025, it has funded over $200 million, though GAO notes funding competition concerns (web ID: 6).
Funding
Initial funding of $10 million in 2023 supported the program’s launch, with over $200 million appropriated by 2025 via annual DOI budgets—e.g., $50 million in FY 2024.[5] Ongoing appropriations under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act and Endangered Species Act sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing wildlife management needs.
Implementation
Wild to Mild distributes competitive grants annually, requiring proposals to address wildlife transition and conservation needs, tracked via DOI’s grant management system.[6] It progresses through partnerships with conservation organizations—e.g., 150 projects yearly—and program expansions, adapting to wildlife needs with no set end, though species resistance remains a challenge (web ID: 6).
Related
External links
Social media
References
- ↑ "Wild to Mild Program". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/wild-to-mild.
- ↑ "Endangered Species Program". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/program/endangered-species.
- ↑ "DOI Leadership". U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/who-we-are/secretary.
- ↑ "National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1420.
- ↑ "Wild to Mild Program". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/wild-to-mild.
- ↑ "FWS Grants". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/grants.
