USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Nonlethal Initiative FY2023 Annual Report

Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 was the fourth year Congress appropriated funding to the Wildlife Services (WS) program specifically for the implementation and further development of nonlethal methods for reducing livestock-predator conflict, and eventually beaver damage. WS refers to this appropriation and the projects and staff that it funds as the WS Nonlethal Initiative (NLI). Congress increased the appropriation from $1.38 million in FY 2020 and 2021 to $2.5 million in FY2022 and $4.5 million in FY2023. FY2023 NLI funding increased WS’ nonlethal response to conflicts with predators and beavers in WS’ Western Region and the Great Lakes states. Table 1 identifies the states and research programs that were provided NLI funding in FY 2023; the reserve account noted in Table 1 funded the engagement, communication and outreach activities described below.