---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3743"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3743"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3743"
units:
  - "Chapter 57A — Partnerships for Wildlife"
---

# §3743. Definitions


As used in this chapter—

- (1) The terms “conserve” and “conservation” mean to use, and the use of, such methods and procedures which are necessary to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the well being and enhancement of [fish and wildlife](#3) and their habitats for the educational, aesthetic, cultural, recreational, scientific, and ecological enrichment of the public. Such methods and procedures may include, but are not limited to, any activity associated with scientific resources management, such as research, census, law enforcement, habitat [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), maintenance, development, information, education, population manipulation, propagation, technical assistance to private landowners, live trapping, and transplantation.
- (2) The term “designated State agency” means the government agency, department, or division of any [State](#8) that is empowered under the laws of the [State](#8) to exercise the functions ordinarily exercised by a [State](#8) [fish and wildlife](#3) agency.
- (3) The term “fish and wildlife” means wild members of the animal kingdom that are in an unconfined [state](#8).
- (4) The term “Fund” means the Wildlife [Conservation](#1) and Appreciation Fund established under [section 3744(g) of this title](/usc/16/3744.md?p=g).
- (5) The term “National Fish and Wildlife Foundation” means the charitable and nonprofit corporation established under [section 3701 of this title](/usc/16/3701.md).
- (6) The term “nonconsumptive activities” means [fish and wildlife](#3) associated activities other than harvesting of [fish and wildlife](#3) and includes, but is not limited to, photographing, observing, learning about, or associating with, [fish and wildlife](#3).
- (7) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States [Fish and Wildlife](#3) Service.
- (8) The term “State” means any of the 50 [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, or American Samoa.
- (9) The term “wildlife conservation and appreciation project” means a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) which is directed toward [nonconsumptive activities](#6) or toward the [conservation](#1) of those species of [fish and wildlife](#3) that—
  - (A) are not ordinarily taken for recreation, fur, or food; except that if under applicable [State](#8) law, any [fish and wildlife](#3) may be taken for recreation, fur, or food in some but not all, [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the [State](#8), a [wildlife conservation and appreciation project](#9) may be directed toward the [conservation](#1) of any of such [fish and wildlife](#3) within any [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the [State](#8) in which such [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) is not permitted;
  - (B) are not listed as endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended ([16 U.S.C. 1531–154](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t16/s1531–154))3); and
  - (C) are not marine mammals within the meaning of [section 1362(6) of this title](/usc/16/1362.md?p=6).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–587, title VII, § 7104, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5096; Pub. L. 103–375, § 6(2), (3), Oct. 19, 1994, 108 Stat. 3495.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in par. (9)(B), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

1994—Par. (2). Pub. L. 103–375, § 6(2)(A), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘designated State agency’ means the State fish and wildlife agency, which shall be construed to mean any department, or any division of any department of another name, of a State that is empowered under its laws to exercise the functions ordinarily exercised by a State fish and wildlife agency.”

Par. (4). Pub. L. 103–375, § 6(2)(B), made technical amendment to reference to section 3744(g) of this title to correct reference to corresponding provision of original act.

Par. (8). Pub. L. 103–375, § 6(3)(B), added par. (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Pub. L. 103–375, § 6(2)(C), (D), substituted semicolon for period at end of subpar. (A) and “section 1362(6)” for “section 1362(5)” in subpar. (C).

Par. (9). Pub. L. 103–375, § 6(3)(A), redesignated par. (8) as (9).