Membership Drives your WWA - Wisconsin Waterfowl Association

By Bruce Urben, President

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

Why should you be a member of Wisconsin Waterfowl Association? We don’t publish a glossy magazine that is sent out each month with hordes of national advertising, we don’t spend time in Washington D.C. spreading our conservation ethic and accomplishments, and we don’t pay for high priced celebrities to support our programs.

On Friday 4 June. representatives from [both] WWAs, DU, Delta, TU, DNR and USFWS met with legislators at Horicon Marsh to discuss the value and urgency of investing in our wetland infrastructure. This is one way WWA supports our membership in the state of Wisconsin.

WWA is, however, the voice of waterfowlers in the state of Wisconsin. We have the ear of our conservation officials, lawmakers and decision makers in this state. We have a seat at the table when a conservation issue comes to the forefront for discussion, and we are sought out for our input on important habitat, waterfowl and wetland issues.

You, our membership, asked for an earlier morning opening for waterfowling, which we convinced regulators was important. You asked for an increase in the Wisconsin Waterfowl stamp fee to do more “on the ground” habitat work and that has now cleared legislative hurdles. You expressed your desires to maintain or extend the Knowles Nelson Stewardship fund and these legislative hurdles have also been crossed to further invest in habitat and conservation in Wisconsin. We are in discussions with our peers on a Sandhill Crane Management program that you see as a priority.

Yes, there is power in numbers and we want to continue to be your voice for wetlands, habitat and wildfowl in this state, but we need your continued support. Our 2021 Membership Drive is in full swing and we ask you, our members to get the word out. Bring a hunting partner, family member or friend to WWA by becoming a member and supporting our mission. Check out our incentives for membership. There is much more to be done, and with your help and support we can continue to stand up for all Wisconsin waterfowlers and conservationists.

I mentioned what you won’t get with your WWA membership. But, what you do get from WWA is more important than any magazine or celebrity spokesperson: grass roots support for conservation issues in this state and the assurance that your financial support does not leave Wisconsin. Oh, and did I mention our first class newsletter that keeps you informed on all our mission programs and news from our peers?

Please support our membership drive. Thank you for your continued support.