By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December, 2024 Newsletter edition.
Some of you might know that after high school, I went to the Coast Guard Academy to earn a Marine Science degree. That combination of an environmental focus and service, chosen as a 17 year-old from the Jacques Cousteau era, shaped my life.
Dr. Sarah Orlofske, center, presents WWA Executive Director Bruce Ross (L) and President Bruce Urben (R) with the Blue-winged Teal Award
First, the importance of public service was driven home through 28 years of military service around the globe. And then, upon “retiring” to Wisconsin, my volunteer work with conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the Friends of the Cedarburg Bog helped me see the opportunities that non-profits deliver.
My current work as an Ozaukee County supervisor on the Natural Resources Committee has kept me involved with local conservation efforts, and my role with WWA allows a state-wide perspective.
This 40+ year background provides the context for my observation that 2024 was a pretty big year for WWA. In every single mission. I encourage you to read the articles that look back over WWA’s 2024 accomplishments.
But don’t take my word for the growing impact of WWA… Three different organizations went out of their way to recognize WWA’s work in 2024:
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Cyrus Hunter Baird, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Delta Waterfowl (R) presents Bruce Ross with its 2024 “Partner in Conservation” award this July
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan committee of the USFWS presented WWA their international Blue-winged Teal Award in August
- The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation handed us their conservation organization of the year award at their annual meeting in April. They also recognized Jessica and Ryan Peterson as “Teachers of the Year” for their development of WWA’s middle school science curriculum based on the phenology of Wisconsin Waterfowl
- In July, Delta Waterfowl acknowledged WWA as its 2024 “Partner in Conservation” in Baton Rouge, LA
We need your help to keep the ball rolling! It’s not false modesty to say that these accomplishments were possible only through the efforts of our volunteer team. I hope you want to be a part of this crazily effective team—email me at bross@wisducks.org.