Former Game and Fish director nominated to lead U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

POWELL - Brian Nesvik, former Wyoming Game and Fish Department director and brigadier general of the Wyoming National Guard, has been nominated to direct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

President Donald Trump made the nomination Tuesday afternoon, quietly adding Nesvik's name along with 187 other nominations to a Congressional website. The nomination will next go to the U.S. Senate for confirmation. 

Nesvik started his career with the department in 1995 as a game warden in the Laramie Region. He climbed the ranks of the wildlife division, ultimately earning him the governor's appointment as the director in 2019, serving 29 years before retiring last year. 

The news of the nomination prompted a slew of positive feedback by state leaders and protests by conservation organizations. 

"Brian is an outstanding leader and the USFWS is in good hands," said Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce. "I have no doubt he will work collaboratively with the states and use our expertise." 

Bruce said she hopes Nesvik will work closely with the department to benefit the state's wildlife and habitats. 

"Wyoming plans to take full advantage of this opportunity to work with Brian and other incoming administrators to help develop science based policies and programs that will benefit Wyoming's wildlife and last administrations," she said. 

Wyoming U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso also supported the nomination with statements Wednesday morning. They both promised to work to get Nesvik through the confirmation process quickly to get him on the job as soon as possible. 

"President Trump has made a great decision in nominating Wyoming's own Brian Nesvik to serve as director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service," Lummis said. "Brian has spent his entire career serving the people of Wyoming and working alongside outfitters, hunters, landowners, fishermen, and anyone else who loves the great outdoors. That attitude and passion for balancing wildlife conservation and recreational access will serve him well in this important role. I look forward to working to get Brian confirmed as soon as possible." 

Barrasso turned to Facebook to deliver his thoughts on the nomination, saying he is looking forward to supporting Nesvik's nomination in the U.S. Senate. 

"Brian Nesvik is an outstanding choice to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As the former Wyoming Game and Fish Department director, he has extensive experience balancing the management of Wyoming's abundant wildlife population with the needs of local communities," he said. 

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said he was not surprised that Nesvik, who had planned to do more pack trips, fishing and hunting when he entered retirement, "answered the call to serve his country." 

"Brian could not be more qualified and suited to serve in this significant role. He has had a long career in wildlife conservation and boasts extensive experience and leadership dealing with the complexities of endangered species issues," Gordon said in a press statement. "His intimate knowledge of the challenges facing Western states will ensure Wyoming has a seat at the table when engaging with the federal government on these issues." 

Nesvik has had experience with the trials and tribulations of managing Wyoming's long list of charismatic creatures, including several species of concern like the greater sage grouse, bat species and threatened or endangered species like grizzly bears and black-footed ferrets. 

He has experience testifying in front of Congress, as well as working with political leaders and the public and business stakeholders. He also served as the co-chair on the board of directors for the Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board.