More recently “Catch and Release” behavior began with individual anglers. Another example is “Save The Hens”, a waterfowler’s self imposed restriction to not shoot hens so as to increase future nesting bird populations. All these efforts spread from individuals to produce enormous conservation benefits. We must remember our natural resources today. I hear from members all the time who ask: “What can I do to help?” I have always believed one person can truly make a difference. How can you help? Here are examples of what others are doing:

Karen H., North Branch, MN listed Wildlife Forever as her charity on GoodSearch.  This is an Internet search engine that donates to Wildlife Forever everytime someone searches the Internet. Just searches! How many times do you search the web in a week? Karen has raised $44.44 for Wildlife Forever. If just 100 members follow her example, boom $4,400 for conservation. You can do it, too. Visit http://www.goodsearch.com/ to learn more and select Wildlife Forever to receive funds. It cost you nothing but helps conservation.

David S., Petoskey, MI, wants to host a Wildlife Forever banquet in his hometown to help out. It will be the first in the nation. Consider hosting your own banquet, or maybe a fishing tournament, golf or shooting event to help raise funds for conservation. We will help!

Pat C., Brooklyn Park, MN, our very own State-Fish Art® coordinator, is going to run his first marathon to benefit Wildlife Forever.  He is dieting, running and getting in shape. He wants to enjoy the great outdoors and he wants to support Wildlife Forever. He built his own web page http://www.firstgiving.org/patconzemius check it out and support him in his efforts to Run Wild! Better yet, maybe you can run in your own local marathon.

Sportsmen and women are known as the first conservationists. We have done it before and we can do it again. Thank you so much for your support over the years. Your gifts and contributions truly make a difference for fish and wildlife. As we work our way out of this economic slump, we will continue to help America’s natural resources. Please do what you can to support conservation. And thank you for all you are doing. Let me hear from you.  Good luck.

State-Fish Art Contest Deadline Approaches

There is still time for the young artist in your family to enter their own masterpiece before the March 31, 2009 deadline. You'll find the rules and all the information at the State-Fish Art web site.

1200-acres of Wetlands Restored

During the early 1900's a large wetland in west-central Minnesota was drained. Open ditches carried away the water from Grass Lake, which had an average depth of just 2 to 3 feet. Gone were 1,200 acres of wildlife habitat, plus a natural holding tank for the area's floodwater.

In its place was farmland. But during the decades since the wetland was drained, many farmers struggled with floods that damaged their crops and made it difficult to earn a living.

A multi-agency effort has changed that, restoring Grass Lake. Plus, 500 acres of upland habitat and seven islands within the basin were restored. In addition to creating wetland habitat, Grass Lake is improving the area's water quality, especially in the Wakanda chain of lakes. The project's two key elements were the landowners who enrolled their land into permanent conservation programs and the conservation groups involved.

Thanks in part to Wildlife Forever, a variety of other waterfowl species will once again find Grass Lake a haven of wetland habitat.

Project partners for this $2.6 million project were Wildlife Forever, Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Kandiyohi County and the City of Willmar.

Hatchery Support Sends Salmon To The Sea

Needed fish food and a new pump system arrived at the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery in Smith River, California, thanks to a $10,000 grant from Wildlife Forever, the NAFC's nonprofit affiliate.

The food will help grow the hatchery's stock of chinook, cohos and steelhead, while the new pump will keep a critical supply of fresh water flowing. After being stocked in public waters, salmon and steelhead begin a downstream trek to the sea. In preparation for this arduous journey, hatchery managers supply the fish with a nutrient-rich diet to build strength and size. Feeding costs can run as high as $200 a day.

A worker stocks a nearby river using a tank truck and large hose.

Anglers are the primary beneficiaries. In a seven-month period, up to 450,000 trout and salmon can be released. Through the Rowdy Creek Hatchery project, Wildlife Forever is providing fishing recreation for thousands of California anglers.

He’s off and running... for Wildlife!

In the bitterness of this relentless 2009 winter, a new outlook on life has emerged. As a sportsman, I have come to realize much of our passion is wrapped into our recreational and leisure time. However, as much as we enjoy and ensure the well being of the outdoors, we often spend little or no time ensuring our own physical well being. Run Wild! takes conservation personally and is my latest effort to promote healthy lifestyles within and among my fellow outdoors men and women.

Pat "Crazy Legs" Conzemius with a nice bass.

On October, 4th 2009, I will be running the 28th Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, “The most beautiful urban marathon in America.” My goal is to raise $25,000 to inspire greater conservation and healthy living through the outdoors, benefiting Wildlife Forever. You can help by visiting the newly designed donation page Run Wild!  and pledging your support today.

Thank you for your help and support.  I work for Wildlife Forever and run the kids State-Fish Art® Contest plus promote our outreach to stop the spread of invasive species.  They call me, “Crazy Legs” Pat Conzemius, and I could use every bit of your support. Remember all donations are tax deductible. Please check the “blog” on the donation page and watch for updates on my progress. If you are interested in joining me or starting a Run Wild! running team for your marathon, please drop me an email: pconzemius@wildlifeforever.org .

Thanks!

Wild Turkeys Benefit From Public
Land Improvement Project

Wild turkeys are strutting and gobbling in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky this spring thanks to funding from Wildlife Forever. Other wildlife species also benefited from this extensive habitat improvement project.

The Daniel Boone National Forest is the largest area of public hunting land in Kentucky.
A tract of more than 7,600 acres is designated as a primitive weapons hunting area.

Wild turkeys are one of many species that have benefited from
  this habitat enhancement project in Kentucky's
Daniel Boone National Forest.

"The Craney Ridge project will improve habitat for wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and many other wildlife species by establishing woodland ponds and by improving forest openings on national forest lands," said Benjamin Worthington, USDA Forest Service supervisor. "I appreciate Wildlife Forever's strong commitment toward improving wildlife habitat on the national forest."

More than 225 acres of habitat were improved by various methods. Power lines that span the region were planted and mowed to provide wildlife forage and cover. In addition, 12 woodland ridgetop ponds were built to provide reliable water sources. These ponds greatly help wildlife when local streams dry up during the summer months.

The National Wild Turkey Federation, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and American Electric Power Companies are Power Companies were partners in this $13,500 project. Part of the necessary funds for this project also came from the "Wildlife For Tomorrow" partnership. Supporters of this fund include Wal-Mart, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, North American Hunting Club, Remington, Wildlife Management Institute and Wildlife Forever.

Winning Artwork For Your Businesscard

You have never seen a businesscard like this before. Create your own businesscard with art gallery quality artwork from the State-Fish Art Contest featuring all of the national winners. A variety of species are available including trout, and largemouth bass.

It's easy to add and place whatever text you want. You can even choose your font,
font size and color. The prices are great and the procedes benefit fish conservation.

See them all at Wildlife Forever's Zazzle Store.