From
7
founders
around a campfire to
40,000+
MEMBERS
Dear Friends
Despite unprecedented challenges and a difficult new landscape for grassroots conservation advocacy, we continued our momentum in 2020 and secured landmark wins for conservation, public access and fair chase hunting and fishing in Congress and across North America.
Top image by Ben Herndon
A message from BHA President and CEO Land Tawney
We’re proud of the milestones we reached in 2020
40,000
Members
who wrote
121,805
Letters to decision makers
465,000+
Public lands hunters and anglers
supported chapters in
48
states, two Canadian provinces, and one territory and the District of Columbia
32,000
miles were hiked
for conservation by BHA members and supporters, raising $65,000 for our mission
4,175
bags of trash were removed from our public lands and waters
26
College Clubs
led 50 boots-on-the-ground
service projects

Top Hits
01
Securing LWCFOur members were a driving force behind the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, the most significant conservation legislation in a generation.
02
Protecting the Boundary WatersWe laid the groundwork for critical legislation to protect the Boundary Waters by testifying in Congress, working with partner groups and engaging local hunters and anglers in support of America’s most-visited wilderness area.
03
Engaging Veterans and Service MembersFollowing a lengthy consultation and development process from members in the United States and Canadian militaries, we launched our new Armed Forces Initiative to lead the way in connecting veterans and service members with opportunities afield in both Canada and the United States.
04
Advancing Conservation FundingBHA members and staff helped pass the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act by encouraging Congress to support the bill and demonstrating the value of key provisions to American sportsmen and -women.
05
Giving Rise to New ChaptersWith the launch of new chapters in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia, we’re getting closer to our goal of having a robust grassroots system in every state and territory and Canadian province and territory!
06
Representing Hunters and Anglers in CongressU.S. policy staff and members had a major impact in Washington, D.C., advancing 21 different conservation measures in legislative packages.
07
Opposing Public Land AntagonistsBHA led opposition by sportsmen and women to the Trump administration’s continued support of William Perry Pendley, acting head of the Bureau of Land Management.
08
Defending Bristol BayBHA members across the continent joined Alaska BHA in sending over 18,000 letters to the EPA opposing the Pebble Mine Project.
09
Helping Veterans Get OutdoorsOur new Armed Forces Initiative brought veterans to the table in successfully advocating for passage of the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act.
10
Entertaining and EducatingOur renowned Podcast and Blast, hosted by acclaimed journalist Hal Herring, hit a milestone: three years of covering conservation and hook and bullet issues in a unique, engaging format.
Chapter Accomplishments
Financials
Financial Statement
Support and Revenue | |
Grant Revenue | $1,907,757 |
Events and Miscellaneous | $813,908 |
Membership | $1,110,607 |
Donations and Interest | $590,738 |
Business Sponsorship | $319,360 |
Merchandise | $333,668 |
Total Revenue | $5,076,038 |
Expenses | |
Program Expenses | $3,791,431 |
Management and General | $176,075 |
Fundraising | $244,209 |
Total Expenses | $4,211,715 |
Change in Net Assets | $864,323 |
Statement of Activities, Year Ended December 31, 2020


Corporate Partners
- Alpacka Raft
- Benchmade Knife Co.
- Black Coffee Roasting Co.
- Camp Chef
- Crispi
- Danner
- Eukanuba
- Federal
- Filson
- First Lite
- Gerber Gear
- goHunt
- Montana Mex
- Mountain Top Motor Co.
- Mystery Ranch
- Nemo Equipment
- New Belgium Brewing
- NRS
- onX Maps
- Passalacqua Winery
- RepYourWater
- Savage Arms
- Seek Outside
- Sitka
- Stanley
- Stone Glacier
- Traeger Grills
- Victory Archery
- Vortex Optics
- Weatherby
- Weston
- Wilderness Athlete
- Wilderness Lite Ultralite Float Tubes
- Yeti
Board Members
Current as of December 2020
- Ted Koch (Idaho) Chair
- J.R. Young (California) Vice Chair
- Michael Beagle President Emeritus
- T. Edward Nickens (North Carolina) Secretary
- Jeffrey Jones (Alabama) Treasurer
- Ben Bulis (Montana)
- Ryan Callaghan (Montana)
- Bill Hanlon (British Columbia)
- Hilary Hutcheson (Montana)
- Heather Kelly (Alaska)
- Tom McGraw (Michigan)
- Ben O’Brien (Montana)

Staff Members
Current as of July 2021
- Land Tawney, President and CEO
Directors
- Tim Brass, State Policy and Field Operations Director
- John Gale, Conservation Director
- Frankie McBurney Olson, Operations Director
- Katie McKalip, Communications Director
- Rachel Schmidt, Innovative Alliances Director
Chapters and Programs
- Tim Brass, State Policy and Field Operations Director
- Trey Curtiss, R3 Coordinator
- Katie DeLorenzo, Western Regional Manager and Southwest Chapter Coordinator
- Kevin Farron, Montana Chapter Coordinator
- Chris Hennessey, Eastern Regional Manager and Chapter Coordinator
- Ace Hess, Idaho and Nevada Chapter Coordinator
- Josh Kaywood, Southeast Chapter Coordinator
- Jacob Mannix, Alaska Chapter Coordinator
- Morgan Mason, Armed Forces Initiative Coordinator
- Jason Meekhof, Great Lakes Chapter Coordinator
- Devin O'Dea, California Chapter Coordinator
- Jesse Salsberry, Northwest Chapter Coordinator and Video Production Assistant
- Kylie Schumacher, Collegiate Club Coordinator
- Josh Stratton,Great Plains Chapters Coordinator
- Ty Stubblefield, Chapter Coordinator and New Chapter Development
- Brien Webster, Program Manager and Colorado and Wyoming Chapter Coordinator
Policy
- John Gale, Conservation Director - Policy and Government Relations
- Kaden McArthur, Government Relations Coordinator
- Rob Parkins, Public Access Coordinator
Communications
- Katie McKalip, Communications Director
- Travis Bradford, Video Production and Graphic Design Coordinator
- Thomas Plank, Communications Coordinator
- Zack Williams, Backcountry Journal Editor
- Robert Yagid, Digital Media Coordinator
Partnerships
- Rachel Schmidt, Innovative Alliances Director
- Grant Alban, Development Coordinator
- Josh Mills, Development Coordinator
Operations
- Frankie McBurney Olson, Operations Director
- Britney Fregerio, Controller
- Caitlin Frisbie, Operations Associate and Special Assistant to the President
- Kate Mayfield, Office Manager
- Ryan Silcox, Membership Coordinator
- Dylan Snyder, Operations Assistant