By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s February, 2022 Newsletter edition.
With the recent snowfall, I considered making about making a joke about putting on WWA’s snow tires…
…But it probably wouldn’t get any traction. Okay, so I’m not a humorist. But I am pleased to report that WWA is already making good forward progress in this new year – even in January’s snowy conditions. And some, but not all, of that is on display in this newsletter.
Waterfowlers’ Voice: Two advocacy updates in this e-news for you: WWA’s very first policy maker of the year award, thanking the policy maker who helped us achieve our goals last year. You may be surprised by the decision. And what’s happening on the sandhill crane ‘front lines’; things have certainly heated up.
A volunteer works WWA’s booth at the EXPO. Josh Preissner photo.
Expanding the Waterfowl Hunters EXPO: The organizing committees have been meeting over the past few months, and this year’s EXPO is shaping up to be the biggest ever (OK, so there’s only been one EXPO – but that was a pretty high bar!). A big addition will be the decoy carving exhibition, featuring state and national contests, but we also expect to grow the vendor list by almost 100%, while retaining the dog- and family-friendly activities so popular last year. Again, you can play a role, by helping to organize the activities (email me at bross@wisducks.org if you’re interested in helping), by sponsoring it, or by volunteering on that day (August 27th—mark your calendars NOW!).
Significant Education Initiative: Speaking of the EXPO, I am pleased to report that WWA is in the “pre-approval” phase for a very substantial DNR grant to expand our R3 education efforts. Pre-approval means there are still several steps to go through before final award, but if we receive the funding, WWA will leverage its investment in the EXPO to bring under-represented communities (think: women and persons of color) into the waterfowling fold. As we move through the process, we’ll share more details, but there are opportunities for YOU to play a role. Interested? Let me know at bross@wisducks.org. And check out Warden Otto’s R3 article on the very personal steps you can take outside of a formal program.
Expanding Habitat partnerships: Check out the historical review of a long-standing partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service – more than 1,300 acres restored or enhanced in the past 5 years! And I’m proud to announce that our partnership with Vortex Optics has expanded to include their substantial support of a public-access project we’ll be working on this year!
Diversifying revenue streams: My single most important responsibility with WWA is to make sure we are growing our relevance every single day. And that requires making sure our future is financially secure. Helping me with that is Director (and 2019 Volunteer of the Year) Russ Olson, who is spearheading an initiative to encourage WWA supporters to consider a legacy gift that will help ensure we are around to support future generations. And we’ll be auctioning off Les Didier’s original waterfowl stamp paintings through national fine art auction house Copley Fine Art Auctions later this year. Those proceeds will be going into our endowment fund, to support the future WWA. Stay tuned for more information on both of these initiatives.
Smart Investments: WWA continues to make good headway on the financial front – sufficiently good to fund some investments that will grow our impact in the year(s) ahead. These investments include technology upgrades (re-booting our website to getting software to better connect grassroots advocates with their representatives), initiating a grant program for local chapters and creating the legacy giving program I mentioned above (and others). The Board of Directors is deliberately identifying the capabilities we need to be more impactful – and making the investments that will bear fruit in the years ahead. Without your financial support this would not be possible. THANK YOU!
Want to learn more? Read the rest of this newsletter, and come to the annual meeting, this coming Saturday – but you’d better reserve your spot quickly! Informal, fun, and informative, I hope to see you there!