By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s April, 2021 Newsletter edition.
A 2021 habitat project WWA completed thanks to the support of our membership
Just coming off of a very successful and rewarding fundraising banquet puts everyone in a great mood. After a few days celebrating the fruits of our team’s labor, I began thinking about why a team works so hard to accomplish their goal. It was clear to me that every one of the 37 volunteers that showed up to help at our March 18th Green Bay Chapter banquet were working together to make it successful. Not necessarily because of the leadership by the Green Bay committee, but because they all feel strongly about WWA’s mission. They want to do more to improve wetland resources for our waterfowl, they want to do more for youth education and they want to do more for our conservation policies and legislation. Many of our volunteers have never waterfowl hunted, but they understand the importance of top notch wetlands for all species, that the educated public is an informed public and sound policies result in sound decisions. I would put every one of our volunteers in the category of “conservationists”. They care about the environment and want to make sure it’s properly managed for our children and their grandchildren. That’s why they do it!
The answer to my question seems pretty clear to me now. I believe it’s the same reason that you are a member of Wisconsin Waterfowl Association… to do what’s right for our environment, our youth and all hunter conservationists who rely on our natural resources.
A big thank you to all of our “volunteer” chapter members for doing what you do. You do make a difference and the difference is being noticed!
We also need to thank all of our members and sponsors who generously give of their time and resources to attend and help fund these events. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, ”it’s for the ducks”, on the raffle floor. A convincing and cohesive membership where everyone is paddling in the same direction.
Aldo Leopold said it best in his “Sand County Almanac” written in 1949. The most serious obstacle impeding the Land Ethic is the lack of intense consciousness of the land. With WWA leading the charge and our membership behind us, I feel that the outlook is bright for all that is wild.
Thank you for your continued support!