WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack have announced the creation of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council advisory group.

"Today's conservation challenges demand that we all step forward and embrace the work necessary to conserve the wildlife habitat and water resources important to America's hunting and angling heritage," Vilsack said Thursday.

The advisory council will also provide a forum for citizens to advise the government on policies related to wildlife and habitats that:

• Benefit recreational hunting;

• Benefit wildlife resources; and

• Encourage cooperation among the public, conservationists, hunters, wildlife conservation organizations, states, Native American organizations and the federal government.

Salazar noted that the revenue generated from hunting licenses, duck stamps and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment provides billions of dollars to purchase and maintain wildlife habitat. It's also a source of funding for state wildlife agency conservation work.

The council replaces the sporting conservation council, expanded to include the archery, hunting and shooting sports industries, as well as major hunting organizations.

"Hunters are some of our nation's most influential conservationists, and through their license and equipment purchases, they are foremost funders of state fish and wildlife agencies' programs to restore and safeguard wildlife and their habitats," said Ron Regan, acting director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Five federal agencies help maintain America's hunting heritage -- the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency. All will join the council.