All I Want for Christmas

By Bruce Ross, Executive Director

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December Newsletter edition.

I’ve had a busy year since joining the WWA staff in late January, so with the imminent season cessation, I’m reflecting on my year: Learning people, process, culture; assessing the organization (and where can I make a difference?); attending events (even running some), balancing budgets, managing staff, engaging partners, engaging social media, evaluating policy issues, telling the WWA story, etc…whew!  It’s been tough to know where to focus.

Prior to this, I admit to undervaluing the work WWA did on my behalf as a WIWaterfowler.

  • A Waukesha county project WWA partnered on earlier this summer will provide great waterfowl habitat.

    Who knew most ducks we harvest are born here in Wisconsin, in small wetlands?

  • Who knew most restorable wetlands are mostly (about 85%) privately held?
  • Who knew there would be such frequent policy issues that affect WIWaterfowlers?
  • Who knew that passing along a waterfowling ethic to the next generation would be so challenging, but important to our sport?

Ten months into the job, I’m glad to have grabbed this WWA tiger by its tail – my conclusion is that a State-wide organization, focused on elevating waterfowl habitat and hunter issues has never been more relevant.

But, perhaps ironically, it has never been more at risk: The Minnesota Waterfowl Association (MWA) closed its doors two months ago.  WWA founder Jerry Solsrud and other founders were shocked to learn of this – they borrowed heavily from the MWA experience when forming WWA 35 years ago.  I wonder who will be the voice of MN Waterfowlers in the future?

Our Minnesota brethren were simply unable to attract the support needed to keep the lights on.  This is a lesson for our own state-wide WWA, and the membership it serves: WWA must constantly deliver value to earn the support of Wisconsin Waterfowlers.

There are some chicken-and-egg factors to consider:  Minnesota’s waterfowling population is declining, Wisconsin’s is holding steady; WWA has a nice cadre of young volunteers and supporters, Minnesota did not.  Still, I take this lesson to heart.

To that end, in the coming year, your WWA is developing a 2020 Action Plan to meet your growing expectations of us, in order to:

  1. Expand WWA’s impact on wetlands important to Wisconsin-breeding waterfowl;
  2. Grow the NexGen of WIWaterfowlers, and better inform today’s waterfowler;
  3. Develop a more impactful voice at the Capitol; and
  4. Engage members with fun and fresh events, and offer rewarding volunteer opportunities.

To deliver on these expectations, WWA must accomplish some internal goals.  We must

  • Grow membership numbers – and locations – to better represent the full extent of WIWaterfowlers;
  • Uncover new volunteer engagement opportunities;
  • Diversify our revenue streams to continue delivering value in uncertain financial times.

I need your help. Please consider some new ways you can support WIWaterfowling:

Thanks for this – and for all you’ve already done – to help waterfowling in Wisconsin.  Have a great holiday season!