Washington D.C. - The membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) elected Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and resident of Falmouth, as its new president during its 114th Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin during September 22-25, 2024. Ms. Camuso is only the second woman in the Association’s 122-year history to serve in this position. She will serve as the Association President through September 2025.

In accepting the Association’s Presidency, Camuso reflected on her commitment to fish and wildlife conservation and the need to build more support for the work of state, provincial, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. The focal areas of her presidency will be on communication, engagement with new partners, and agency long-term financial security. She also expressed immense gratitude for the leadership and accomplishments made by AFWA under Past-President Chuck Sykes.

“I will do my best to represent all state fish and wildlife agencies, and the needs in each region,” said Camuso. “We will work together to communicate with the broader conservation community and public and make sure they understand what we do, why we do it, and how it benefits them.”

“Judy’s leadership, innovation, and ability to connect people to wildlife and nature will be invaluable during her AFWA Presidency,” said Chuck Sykes, 2023-2024 AFWA President. “She brings a wealth of experience in education, wildlife conservation, and public policy to the table; she is an avid birder, hunter, and outdoors enthusiast; and will work to further conservation of our precious natural resources.”

Judith Camuso was nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by Governor Janet T. Mills in 2019 and is the first woman to lead the department, overseeing the conservation and management of the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state.

In 2018, Camuso was named one of Maine Magazine's 50 Mainer's of Maine and, in 2015, she received the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Employee of the Year, Governor's Award. Before joining the department, she served as Gilsland Farm Center Director at Maine Audubon from 1996-2007.