Aurelia Skipwith | Opening 4 Million Acres for Hunting & Fishing | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 395

Director Aurelia Skipwith served as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Trump, bringing both a biology degree and a law degree to one of the most important conservation positions in the country. In this episode, she reveals how a city girl from Indianapolis became the woman responsible for opening over 4 million acres of public land for hunting and fishing access—more than 2.3 million of those acres opened in a single year. She discusses the hidden truth about who really funds conservation in America, why the duck stamp might be the most efficient conservation program ever created, and what the new acknowledgment on the 2020 duck stamp means for hunters and anglers nationwide.

From City Girl to Conservation Leader

Director Skipwith's path to leading the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wasn't a straight line. Growing up in Indianapolis, she spent school years in the city but weekends and summers on her grandparents' farm in rural Kentucky. She describes waking up early to find crayfish, putting horses in to feed, collecting eggs from chickens, finding snakes, and going fishing. Her grandfather was a hunter, exposing her to outdoor activities that became part of her DNA. This foundation led her to Howard University to study biology, then to Purdue for a master's in molecular biology. But between those degrees came a transformative experience: working for the Forest Service in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, where she helped rehabilitate black bears and studied the endangered Indiana bat. She then went to law school with plans to practice environmental law in her home state, but an opportunity in DC changed everything—they needed someone with both a science background and the ability to navigate the regulatory process. Her full story about how God has a sense of humor starts at 00:05:10.

Opening 4 Million Acres: The Largest Expansion in History

The numbers are staggering. Over 4 million acres of public land opened for hunting and fishing under Director Skipwith's leadership—with 2.3 million of those acres opened in September 2020 alone. That single-year opening represents more than the entire history of the Fish and Wildlife Service had ever opened before. But there's a specific strategy behind which refuges get opened. Director Skipwith explains that the original purpose of national wildlife refuges was conservation for hunting and fishing, pointing to Pelican Island off the coast of Florida as the first refuge, created to protect pelicans and other birds whose plumes were being taken. Many duck and waterfowl refuges were created specifically to sustain populations for hunting. The key to opening additional access is simple: if the species are thriving, they can expand access, increase bag limits, and open additional areas. The full explanation of how they decide which refuges to open starts at 00:08:28.

The Self-Imposed Tax That Funds Conservation

Director Skipwith calls it exactly what it is: a self-imposed tax. Hunters and anglers, she says with genuine appreciation, are truly the advocates when it comes to conservation—they're putting their money where their mouth is. Through the Pittman Robertson and Dingell Johnson Acts, their activities fund state fish and wildlife agencies to do conservation work that sustains wildlife for everyone. This year, the Fish and Wildlife Service made a historic change to honor that contribution. On the 2020 duck stamp, they've added a message on the back that acknowledges hunters and anglers for their conservation contributions. It's the first time the agency has officially recognized that when it comes to conservation, hunters are truly the ones allowing everyone else to be stewards, even for species that aren't hunted. Director Skipwith was particularly excited about this change, understanding that recognition matters. Her passionate explanation of why hunters deserve this acknowledgment starts at 00:10:54.

The Duck Stamp: 98% Goes Directly to Habitat

For $25, you can purchase one of the most iconic stamps in the United States—and 98% of that money goes directly to conserving habitat. The duck stamp serves as admission to any national wildlife refuge in the country for an entire year, whether you're a birder, hiker, photographer, or just want to explore nature. For waterfowl hunters, it's required to hunt. To date, the duck stamp program has conserved approximately 6 million acres. Director Skipwith emphasizes that anyone can buy a duck stamp at the post office or at many refuges, and it supports conservation while giving access to some of the most beautiful places in the country. The national wildlife refuge system exists in every state and territory, meaning there's a refuge near virtually everyone. This year's duck stamp carries special significance with the new acknowledgment message on the back. The full explanation of how the duck stamp works and where to buy one starts at 00:12:42.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This conversation with Director Skipwith really opened my eyes to how much work is being done behind the scenes to protect our access to public lands. The fact that she opened 2.3 million acres in a single year—more than the entire history of the Fish and Wildlife Service had done before—is absolutely remarkable.

What struck me most was her genuine appreciation for hunters and anglers. She gets it. She understands that we're not just taking from the resource—we're the ones funding its protection. The new acknowledgment on the duck stamp might seem like a small thing, but it represents a huge shift in how our contributions are recognized at the federal level.

If you care about access, if you care about conservation, if you want to understand how these systems actually work, you need to hear this conversation. Director Skipwith breaks down complex policy in a way that makes sense, and she does it with the passion of someone who truly loves the outdoors. This one's absolutely worth your time.