Washington D.C. (March 2, 2026)- The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) is pleased to announce that Dave Kostersky has accepted the contractual position of Principal Canadian Liaison, effective March 2, 2026.
Mr. Kostersky comes to us from Duck Unlimited Canada where he has worked in various roles for the past 31 years. Most recently, Kostersky held the position of National Director of Continental Relations & Partnerships at Ducks Unlimited Canada for close to two years. Mr. Kostersky will be replacing Dean Smith, who has held that role for 16 years and will be assisting while Kostersky transitions into his new role.
“As a lifelong lover of the outdoors and our natural resources, I am beyond grateful to be offered the opportunity to serve the Canadian conservation partners and the broader wildlife management community in the U.S. as the Principal Canadian Liaison,” said Kostersky. “I am excited to be a part of the AFWA team and ready to be a resource for U.S. and Canadian conservation managers and partners. I have met many folks over the past 35 years in conservation and look forward to meeting many more!”
“The Principal Liaison plays a pivotal role in ensuring Canada’s conservation priorities and perspectives are effectively represented in cross-border conservation initiatives,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “Dave’s experience and conservation passion makes him ideal for this position, which is of immense importance to the work of state fish and wildlife agencies.”
The Principal Canadian Liaison, hosted by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, supports Canadian and shared interests on strategic initiatives under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), among other initiatives. The Principal Liaison will support Canadian participation in programs under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and provide advice and information to key bodies including the NAWMP Plan Committee, the North American Wetlands Conservation Councils (NAWCC) in Canada and the U.S., and others.
Mr. Kostersky has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Montana, and a diploma in Renewable Resources Management from Lethbridge Polytechnic.
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.
ASSOCIATION OF FISH & WILDLIFE AGENCIES www.fishwildlife.org
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