TN-Birders: The following is a letter from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Executive Director Gary Myers regarding the International Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies meeting set for Sept. 11-16 at Nashville, TN. Let's go birding.... Wallace Coffey Bristol TN -----------------------BEGIN FORWARD------------------------ Dear IAFWA Members and Colleagues: I write to you during an especially exciting time for the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, as we embark on one of the most unforgettable events in recent years, the 95th IAFWA Annual Meeting. As you may already know, this year, our meeting will be held at the beautiful Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee (Sept. 11-16). The theme, "Investing in the Future of Wildlife," is a timely focus, providing many opportunities to hear from our nation's wildlife conservation leaders, partners, and management experts. IAFWA will use the Annual Meeting to kick-off our efforts surrounding the State Wildlife Strategies. Although they are not the event's only topic of discussion, the strategies have a special place during the event as they will have a significant influence on the future of wildlife funding. From the start, five years ago, when Congress charged each state and territory with developing an action plan for wildlife conservation, the return would be a platform for enhanced wildlife funding. When completed, the strategies will also provide an opportunity for states, federal agencies, and other partners to strategically think about their individual and coordinated roles in conservation efforts across the nation. In addition, and as always, our 95th IAFWA Annual Meeting is a great place for partnership building and information exchange on funding, and a multitude of wildlife conservation and management topics. Throughout the week, our committee meetings, activities and gatherings will all serve to underscore our primary focus on the conservation of natural resources. The meeting will cover a variety of technical, administrative, and political topics-from migratory birds, fisheries, and invasive species, to professional improvement, multistate grants, wildlife law enforcement, and legislation. Join us in Nashville, Tennessee as the nation's premiere wildlife professionals gather during this week to discuss the inroads and challenges of fish and wildlife management. Sincerely, Gary Myers, Executive Director Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Department of Wildlife