By Bruce Urben, President

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

Although Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow on Groundhog Day this year, I am unsure that we can count on an early spring! I am pretty sure, however, that we can look forward to warm and snowless weather later in April. By that time all of this white stuff should be filtering to our lakes, streams and groundwater.

This time of year marks the beginning of our banquet fundraising season. February 22nd in Rhinelander for the Northern Wetlands Chapter and February 27th for the 35th annual Appleton Valley Chapter Banquet. Since our State Meeting in January, we have been busy with policy issues as well as organizational planning for our future. A number of policy issues are still brewing, including the state duck stamp fee increase, which our recent survey respondents confirmed that over 80% of you supported. We are also working with our partners at WDNR to formulate our waterfowl season and zone structure for the next five years. Your responses to our survey will help guide our input on these important issues. And, there are any number of local conservation issues that certainly spark our members’ concern and interests in their own back yard.

We are moving ahead with planning for our 4th Annual Wisconsin Decoy Carving Competition and Exhibition on July 31-August 1st. This year it will be at the beautiful Mead Environmental Education Center overlooking thousands of acres of marsh, grasslands and forests in Central Wisconsin. We are still in need of volunteers to help staff that event, please let us know if you are interested ([email]wwainfo@centurytel.net[/email]. Mark that date on your calendar to see some great examples of contemporary decoy carvers from all over the U.S., demonstrations and to visit with our vendors on the grounds for a true Waterfowling Weekend! There are still spaces for vendors available so please contact us if you or someone you know have interest to participate.

And, of course we continue to need your help. Not just in fundraising but your help in guiding your WWA in the future. To echo our Executive Director, Bruce Ross, check out our program needs for volunteers to staff committees, Adopt-a-Wildlife area work teams or even a group to staff a food tent at the Decoy Carving Contest. Your help is needed now more than ever!

Let’s look forward to spring and please, continue to do what our volunteers have done for over 36 years… work hard so Wisconsin Waterfowl Association can make a difference for habitat, education and hunter advocacy in Wisconsin.

Thank you for all you do.