The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has expressed strong support for President Donald Trump's recent Executive Order which sets forth the establishment of the Make America Beautiful Again Commission. According to information from an LDWF announcement, the commission aims to enhance conservation efforts, increase public access to outdoor spaces, and encourage collaboration.
LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth praised the executive order as a “bold and welcome commitment,” recognizing the President’s efforts to prioritize conservation and outdoor access at the national level. The order is intended to expand public land access and support the restoration of fish and wildlife populations through voluntary, collaborative initiatives, while also aiming to reduce administrative barriers. In a statement shared by LDWF, Bosworth said, “This Executive Order affirms the critical role state partners play and recognizes the need to restore access and promote recreational opportunities and responsible stewardship across our nation’s public lands.”
Prior to the Executive Order, on October 31, 2024, LDWF had formally expressed its readiness to work with federal agencies by sending a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This letter included requests for increased alligator hunting opportunities as well as suggestions for improved staffing strategies on National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana. This past May, Bosworth personally met with USFWS and Department of the Interior officials in Washington, D.C., to directly voice LDWF's concerns and proposals.
Aligned with the goals of the new commission, LDWF’s letter highlighted several priorities, including expanding public hunting opportunities—especially for alligators—and enhancing coordination between wildlife management areas. Bosworth emphasized the importance of state and federal collaboration in advancing these efforts and expressed interest in supporting the implementation of the President’s initiative. The developments suggest a potential for closer cooperation between state and federal agencies to improve public access and promote environmental stewardship nationwide.
