By B.J. Grassmann, a citizen conservationist and Habitat Committee Chair
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July, 2024 Newsletter edition.
It’s hard to believe we are almost at Independence Day!
The American Revolution is largely considered a “grass roots” phenomenon, a result of unfair treatment from England. One of the things I enjoy the most about WWA is its “grass roots” founding and, 40 years later, many of our activities are still “grass roots” oriented.
WWA Director Mike Depies harvests ripe Manoomin in September 2023. Check out the amount of rice he’s accumulated in the bottom of the canoe
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association works closely with the WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other conservation partners to improve waterfowl habitat. There are many advantages associated with better and more wetlands. The first is more Wisconsin ducks!
One ongoing project we want additional “grass roots” support for is collecting more wild rice. This rice gets distributed through the DNR to wetland areas that were, many times, once prolific rice beds. Due to either natural or man-made activities, the rice beds are gone.
We are looking for rice collecting volunteers to help us gather more rice for distribution to new rice beds. If there is rice to harvest, it is usually ripe around Labor Day, give or take a week or so. We need our volunteers to have the necessary equipment (i.e. canoe, rice sticks, PFD).
We get direction from the DNR on where to collect rice and will share that with you. We will work to collect the rice from you, once you have it in hand.
If interested, please reach out to me at grassmannbj@gmail.com. I’ll provide more information on how and where and when. Don’t be intimidated as I just started last year myself – it’s easy and rewarding.
I’d love to share another story during waterfowl season on another successful WWA “grass roots” effort!