By Bruce Ross, Executive Director [email]bross@wisducks.org[/email]

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December, 2021 Newsletter edition.

…At least to my North and South Zone hunting season.  There’s still a couple of weeks left in the new Open Water Zone and I still hope to get in some travel waterfowling before putting waders and decoys up for the winter. I hope your season has been a little more productive than mine. But even without many birds in the bag, I can celebrate the personal recharge this season provided.

I’m also thankful for how WWA has weathered the second year impacts of this pandemic.  January will conclude my third year at the helm of this organization.  My initial five year plan went to shambles after the first year when the pandemic took hold.  But almost immediately, volunteers, members and staff stepped up in various ways to not only provide for WWA’s survival, but to make it stronger in ways that were unforeseeable.

That has continued in 2021. Starting with our financial performance, WWA will finish the year:

• in a remarkably sound financial position.  We are in the black, with a solid balance sheet that will allow greater investment in the state’s waterfowling interests;
• with the launch of a legacy program that offers the opportunity for members to commit to the future of WWA, and the next generation of waterfowling;
• having earned the BBB’s accreditation for non-profit organizations to assure our members and contributors of our sound financial practices and mission focus. Check out the areas they reviewed — you’ll be impressed.

Organizationally, the pandemic has impacted our chapter base, but blessed the chapters who weathered the storm with greater event success and boots on the ground engagement. And beyond this:

• we grew our newsletter subscribers and social media followers;
• our strong, insightful, and active Board of Directors strengthened their a grip on the WWA tiller by leading their mission-focused committees to greater member involvement and impressive results.

And those results warrant some mention.

• 

  With several partners, we launched a wildly successful Waterfowl Hunters EXPO – this is a BIG deal for Wisconsin’s waterfowlers;

• we pushed the long overdue Waterfowl stamp inflationary adjustment across the finish line after 10 years of trying;
• and successfully advocated for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship reauthorization;
• Further, WWA is at the forefront in developing a science-based approach to the legislatively proposed sandhill crane hunt;
• we put more habitat projects in the queue to wetland restoration success than in recent memory;
• and we continued the 11-year history of learn-to-hunts and adopt-a-wildlife areas program;
• and more!

This was a very big year for WWA, made possible only through your active support and engagement… a pretty great present under our collective tree.  Thanks, and congratulations!

The committees are laying their 2022 plans now.  Have some ideas or want to play a role?  Let me know!

Have a great closeout of your own season, and may your holidays be special.  Talk to you next in the new year!