Woods Institute and the U.S. FWS
Our History Working with the U.S. FWS
The 118th Congress and its Relevance to the U.S. FWS
Available as either a 2-day Field Class, based in your area, or an online webinar. This Class will outline the most important results of the 2022 midterm elections, the composition of the 118th Congress, and the significance of the President’s Budget Request for the fiscal year of 2023.
Current Political Leaders in the House and Senate
The roles of the most significant congressional leaders of both parties are explained.
Congressional Committees and Subcommittees with Jurisdiction over U.S. FWS Issues
The membership and function of the important Authorization- and Appropriations-committees with authority over U.S. FWS matters is detailed.
The President's Budget and the U.S. FWS
An analysis of the most up-to-date budgetary figures is provided along with their impact on the U.S. FWS.
Congressional Hearings of U.S. FWS-related Personnel
Edited and annotated clips of recently held confirmation and legislative-hearings of personnel relevant to the U.S. FWS are discussed.
Woods Institute and the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Our History with the US Fish and Wildlife Service
When the National Conservation Training Center(NCTC) opened in Shepherdstown, WV in 1998, Patricia D Woods, President of Woods Institute (WI), participated in classes for U.S. Fish and Service (FWS) regional and senior leaders that covered the subject of working with Congress, both the elected and the unelected.
For several years, WI taught two day classes for FWS field staff at the regional offices in Sacramento, Denver, and Atlanta.
In 2007, WI began working with NCTC to deliver the four day Congressional Operations Class on Capitol Hill in March of each year. Speakers over the years included staff from Capitol Hill who work with FWS issues such as Daren Benjamin, Jocelyn Hunn, and Elizabeth Mabry. Rep Rob Wittman (R), a Republican from Virginia’s first congressional district has participated in most of these classes as well. Executive branch staff also have participated over the years such as Chris Nolan, FWS budget director, Marty Kodis, FWS legislative affairs director.
The above class has continued throughout the pandemic via three hour webinars and a four day 16 hour virtual class in March of 2022 for 30 participants with 12 guest speakers.
WI plans to continue to deliver theses classes on Capitol Hill in person when the time is safe and or/virtually via webinar or multiday classes if this is the client’s choice.