By Bruce Urben, President

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s January 2020 Volunteer Newsletter edition.

We are officially in the first month of the year in 2020. A leap year! Yes, there are 29 days In February, another “free” day to get one more thing done.

You will be seeing this newsletter around January 15th, and you would not believe what that day is known for! January 15th is National Humanitarian Day, Museum Selfie Day (are you kidding me?), National Bagel Day, National Fresh Squeezed Fruit Day, National Strawberry Ice Cream Day (now we are talking) and don’t forget National Hat Day.

January is also the kickoff of WWA’s fundraising year and we are looking forward to our State Meeting on January 25th at Lambeau Field. We meet each year in January to honor all of those high producing Chapters from 2019, and this year we have a bonus with four speakers we know you’ll find interesting: experts discussing wetland importance, duck parasites, puddle duck survival and the waterfowl season review. We hope you can make the trip to Lambeau on Saturday the 25th to be part of the festivities and hopefully give the Packers a grand sendoff in their Super Bowl quest.

Our official banquet fundraising season kicks off on February 22nd with the Northern Wetlands (Rhinelander) Chapter Banquet followed by the annual Appleton/Valley Chapter Banquet on February 27th. Both are great events offering awesome raffle prizes and great food to boot! Check out our website at wisducks.org for registration information for all of our 2020 events.

2019 was a busy year for WWA. We replaced our longtime Executive Director, as well as our retiring Regional Director and re-organized our Board of Directors. All of which has provided efficiencies for your Waterfowl Organization to be at the forefront of habitat restoration in this State.

There is still a lot to do in 2020…we have a plentiful list of habitat projects that need construction oversight, educational programs that need organizing and some key legislation that needs finalizing.

We can make 2020 the best year ever with your help! Help us by volunteering, attending events in your area, or by your blessed talents/knowledge or financial support… however you’re willing to help, we need you!

Thanks for your unwavering support in 2019. On Wednesday, January 15th, get out and enjoy a strawberry ice cream sunday with your bagel while wearing your best Sunday hat. Don’t forget to wash it all down with fresh squeezed fruit juice. And, always treat others with respect and pride and maybe even visit a museum, but selfies are at your own risk!