By Bruce Ross, Executive Director

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March 2019 Volunteer Newsletter

I’m getting to know the work and volunteers of WWA a little better now as I start my third month….  I remain impressed with the creativity and enthusiasm of this group  of WI Waterfowlers.  I’m most recently impressed with the willingness of the all-volunteer Board of Directors to consider new approaches to delivering even greater WWA impact.  Earlier this week, WWA’s Directors committed to re-structuring the Board to better focus on WWA’s missions: (1) Improving wetland habitat; (2) Mentoring the next generation of WIWaterfowlers, and; (3) Advocating for the respect WI Waterfowlers deserve as responsible users of state natural resources.

At last weekend’s Wisconsin Waterfowler Hunters’ Conference, biologists strongly emphasized the criticality of small-scale wetland restoration projects to improve Wisconsin’s waterfowl breeding success—this is WWA’s niche in the restoration world! So, Directors on the Habitat committee will be seeking greater numbers of such projects, like the Jefferson County project pictured below, just completed by our project director, Peter Ziegler.  We already leverage our grassroots fundraising against grants and other funding—we will be re-doubling our efforts to find additional grants to expand the impact of [hopefully] growing membership dollars for this important work.  And if you know of possible projects, please to share them with us.

A Jefferson County project, recently completed by WWA, is a critical component recognized by biologists to improve Wisconsin waterfowl breeding success.

The Board of Directors also recognize the importance of what I call “DIY Habitat work” –primarily the Adopt-a-Wildlife Area Program.  The Board’s re-structuring will better support this important initiative and help it expand throughout the state. Wild rice re-seeding in our northern counties is an area where the Board may be able to help local chapters play a growing role too.  These home-grown programs are changing how WWA views habitat management—and how we can better engage our members, while attracting new ones!

Our wood duck box and nesting tube programs will also find better support under a new Board structure, as we seek to improve the “recruitment” of Wisconsin birds.  “Recruitment” is a term used by scientists to reflect how breeding success contributes to the overall waterfowl population.  This is especially important as biologists continue to confirm that the vast majority of the common ducks harvested in Wisconsin are born in Wisconsin—over 70% of greenheads, woodies, and blue wing teal.

In my short tenure, I’ve been awed by the thousands of volunteer hours that make this organization run. Since each Director already makes an extraordinary voluntary commitment to WWA, it’s worthy of our respect that they are taking the additional time to consider how they can better organize to meet the changing conditions of our WI Waterfowl landscape.   If you get your organization right, everything else gets a little bit easier.

By the way, this restructuring will open new opportunities for individual members to work at the state-level in areas where they have skills and commitment.  For example, the Director committee responsible for improving our marketing will be looking for a member to work with in the management of our Facebook / social media campaigns.   There will be many other such opportunities for you to make a state-wide impact on WI Waterfowling—stay tuned!   Or better yet, reach out and make an offer!

Next month, a bit more on this changing Board structure and how it can increase our impact in Advocacy and Education, and other important organizational areas.