Land Tawney to Direct BHA
OutdoorHub 04.26.13
The national sportsmen’s group Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today announced the hiring of longtime Western conservation leader Land Tawney to be the organization’s new Executive Director.
“We are very excited to have a sportsman of Land’s caliber and experience to take the helm of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and lead this growing and influential organization forward,” said Ben Long, the group’s co-chairman. “Land exemplifies the hunting and fishing lifestyle and boots-on-the-ground conservation ethic that makes Backcountry Hunters & Anglers special.”
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers bills itself as “the sportsmen’s voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.” Born around an Oregon campfire in 2004 the organization now boasts members in nearly all 50 states and chapters in nearly all Western States.
“As someone who was raised hunting and fishing the backcountry of Montana, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a great fit for me personally and professionally,” said Tawney. “I’m excited to help this group of passionate public land sportsmen reach its full potential.”
Tawney, 38, is leaving his post as Senior Manager for Sportsmen’s Leadership for the National Wildlife Federation. There, he played a key role in organizing sportsmen at a national level on a host of issues benefiting hunter and angler access, habitat protection and restoration. Most recently, his efforts helped make sure that $15-20 billion in damages from the Deep Horizon oil spill disaster went to restore wetlands vital for the nation’s migrating waterfowl.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has a growing reputation for conserving the public lands and waters important for millions of American sportsmen. Long said the organization intends to shift its operations from Joseph, Ore., to Missoula.
“Missoula and Western Montana are home to some of the finest public lands hunting and fishing destinations in America,” said Long, of Kalispell. “That’s a great reminder of all the American values we are working so hard to pass on to our kids and grandkids.”
