Conservation Funding

Name: eRegulations
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All wildlife, harvestable or not, need great habitats to thrive. Conservation funding keeps these habitats and species flourishing.

The Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 requires manufacturers and importers to pay an excise tax on sport fishing tackle, watercraft, boat fuel, and other fishing equipment. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service distributes a portion of these funds to each state. To qualify and receive funds, Indiana must provide a 25% match with locally generated revenue, which primarily comes from fishing licenses purchased by anglers.

Whether you’re an angler, boater, hunter, birder, wildlife viewer, or an outdoor enthusiast of any type, you benefit from conservation funding. A conservation project created for one species benefits others, and one of those benefitted species may be the one that you love the most. To all of you—anglers and nonanglers—who contribute to this important work, thank you.

Circular infographic titled "Cycle of Success", illustrating how funding supports conservation efforts. The cycle includes six steps: users purchase equipment, licenses, and fuel, excise taxes and license fees are collected, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service allocates funds, state agencies receive grants, state agencies spend on projects, and everyone benefits. The Indiana DNR plays a key role in managing these funds to support wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and outdoor recreation. — The Cycle of Success infographic illustrates how hunting and fishing license fees support conservation. Funds from equipment purchases, excise taxes, and license fees are allocated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to state agencies like the Indiana DNR, which invest in wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and outdoor recreation. This cycle ensures that everyone benefits from sustainable natural resources.