Title Image: Dr Philipp Harmer, Arno Wimpffen and Tristan Breijer with SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin and SCI President Jeff Meyerl.
Over several engagements in recent months, the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) has significantly expanded its footprint in the United States, re-establishing and strengthening long-standing relationships with key partners across the conservation and hunting community.
CIC President Dr Philipp Harmer, Director General Arno Wimpffen, and Director of Communications and Public Affairs Tristan Breijer participated in both the Wild Sheep Foundation Convention in Reno and the Safari Club International Convention in Nashville. They were joined in Reno by Shane Mahoney, President of the CIC Policy and Law Division, further strengthening CIC’s policy presence at the event.
Strengthening a Long-Standing Partnership in Reno
The Wild Sheep Foundation has been a long-standing member and valued supporter of the CIC. Attendance at the Reno “Sheep Show” was at the invitation of President and CEO Gray Thornton and provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with partners, develop new project concepts, and liaise with government and state officials.
Discussions focused on mountain ungulate conservation, transboundary cooperation, wildlife disease management, and the role of sustainable use in delivering measurable conservation outcomes. The presence of state agency representatives and senior conservation leaders underlined the importance of collaboration between NGOs, governments and practitioners.
Deepening Transatlantic Cooperation in Nashville
Participation at the SCI Convention in Nashville further strengthened ties between CIC and Safari Club International. Our shared work in defending hunters’ rights and advocating for sustainable use globally is central to the future of both organisations.
President Harmer was invited to address the European Committee meeting, reinforcing CIC’s unique role as a bridge between European and international policy processes. The Convention also provided an important platform to expand CIC’s presence in the United States, recruit new individual and NGO members, and discuss concrete collaborative measures in terms of projects and policy engagement.
A further highlight of the Nashville convention was the recognition of CIC Member and SCI Benelux Head of Chapter Jan Dams, who was awarded the prestigious Weatherby Award, one of the highest honours in international hunting, recognising a lifetime commitment to ethical hunting, conservation and global sportsmanship.
Several strategic meetings were held throughout the week, including discussions with federal and state representatives, conservation NGOs and industry partners. These engagements reflect CIC’s continued commitment to building alliances that safeguard sustainable use as a cornerstone of conservation.
The United States remains a critical partner in global conservation diplomacy, and these visits mark an important step in consolidating CIC’s renewed and growing presence across North America.
Media Contact:
Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: tristan.breijer@cic-wildlife.org
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
