End Of The Year Is Near Newsletter By Wisconsin Waterfowlers Assn.

As I am writing this article the first measurable snow is falling across Wisconsin. It is two weeks before Thanksgiving, where did the fall go? Temps are below average and there is fear among waterfowlers that a freeze-up is gonna happen sooner than later. Yes, I said it, a freeze up with almost a month of season still pending.

In the WWA world, only two more fund raising events are scheduled for 2018 with Lakeshore in November and the Christmas Bash in December. Unfortunately, this is also the time when things start heating up for our Board and staff in planning for next year.

Merchandise inventory review, new and existing sponsor contacts, State Hunt trip selection, State Meeting planning, Hall of Fame nomination selection, new Board of Director nomination selections and voting just to name a few. Oh yes, throw in there the recruitment and hiring of a new Executive Director by the end of the year and you can see that your staff and Board of Directors are very busy getting things ready for a great 2019.

Calendar sales are beginning to heat up, if you have not already purchased your copy, you should do so soon as last year was a sellout. You can contact Kelcy and she would be happy to get you your own copy, or if you need additional to sell she can take care of that coordination as well. We depend on all of our volunteers to help us get the word out about the Conservation Calendar. These are the best odds to win a great prize (365 prizes, one each day of each month!) and to support your WWA mission of habitat improvement, education and legislation. Let’s make this year a sellout as well! Oh yeah, they make great Christmas gifts too!

Things have been busy on the administrative end as well, from our conservation partner meetings (Wisconsin Wetland Association,Sportsmen for Wisconsin, etc) , legislative meetings, budget meetings, WDNR’s 10 year waterfowl plan updating, State Waterfowl Committee meetings, grant fulfillment documentation, as well as receiving another grant for the Abrams Project area, has kept us moving for sure.

I want to take this chance to invite all of our volunteers to our 2019 State Meeting on Saturday, January 26th in Berlin. We are planning another interesting speaker for the meeting and will be honoring our top fund raising chapters for their work this year. We will also be honoring our third installment of those people that have helped WWA become a statewide leader in conservation during our Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Please mark January 26th on your calendar.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers for everything you do for this organization, we cannot do it without you. It is clear to see that WWA is making a difference in Wisconsin, for habitat improvement, education of youth and young adults, and to be sure conservation legislation makes sense and works for you.

I hope you all have a safe, restful and joyous Thanksgiving holiday. A time to reflect back on everything Wisconsin nature has to offer and share with your family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving.