If you’ve ever hiked a Florida trail, reeled in a tarpon, or caught a glimpse of an alligator basking on a riverbank, you’ve benefited from a powerful idea: the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
This 4th of July, celebrate the uniquely American idea that wildlife belongs to everyone. The North American Model is rooted in a distinctly American belief that natural resources belong to us all, not the powerful few. And it’s also all of our responsibility to help conserve it. That means wildlife and wild lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone: not just landowners, not just hunters, not just one generation.
Born out of the early 20th-century conservation movement, led by figures like Theodore Roosevelt and inspired by a backlash against unregulated exploitation, this model helped turn the tide for many species on the brink of extinction in the United States and Canada. Think of it as the wildlife version of “public libraries.” You don’t own the books, but you benefit from them and everyone chips in to keep the shelves stocked.
The Seven Principles (aka the “Wildlife Rules of the Road”)
- Wildlife is a public resource
Animals don’t belong to kings, private landowners, or corporations. They belong to the public. - Markets for wildlife are eliminated
While some legal markets exist for items like fur and antlers, selling hunted game meat is largely prohibited. In the past, unregulated hunting and commercial trade led to steep population declines and even the loss of some species. - We manage wildlife based on science
Decisions about seasons, limits, and protections are made using research and data. - Wildlife can only be killed for a legitimate purpose
Harvesting animals is allowed for food, fur, self-defense, or protection of property. - Everyone has the opportunity to hunt and fish
In many other countries, these rights are reserved for the wealthy. In North America, they’re open to anyone with the right licenses and respect for the rules. - Wildlife is managed through democratic rule of law
The public helps set the rules. We speak up, vote, show up at meetings, and keep wildlife agencies accountable. - Wildlife populations are international resources
Animals cross borders. Think ducks, fish, and butterflies. So we work with Canada, Mexico, and tribal nations to protect them together.
From the Osceola turkey to the Florida panther, this model has helped prevent extinctions and kept ecosystems humming. Agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission put these principles into practice every day, and organizations like ours help fund their work.
But the most important part of the model is you. That means staying informed and speaking up for science-based policy. By matching your plate to your passion, you can take your support one step further.
