From The Field

Wildlife Forever's Threat Campaign is now in its fourth year. During that time, we've used targeted messages in almost every media you can think of . . . television, print, billboards during fishing opener, the Internet, even free DVDs for local sportsmen's clubs to show during their meetings.

Research reveals we are making great strides and now I am pleased to report that your conservation nonprofit was recently recognized as a leader in the fight against invasive species. The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies representing 14 midwestern state DNRs presented Wildlife Forever their President's Award.

Mike Conlin, Director, Illinois DNR presents Doug Grann of Wildlife Forever
with the MAFWA President's Award.

I drove to Peoria, Illinois to accept the honor and also took the opportunity to see first hand how asian carp are destroying fishing on the nearby Illinois River. This web essay below describes what I found.

Take a look at this new web essay on invasive species.

Asian carp are one of the few invasive species that are not only displacing our native species (walleye and sauger among them) but they are dangerous, as well. Known for their ability to leap many feet in the air, the sound of a boat engine sends whole schools airborne, sometimes landing in your boat or hitting you in the head. During our short boat ride down the river, airborne fish were seen nearly everywhere. We had 43 silver carp land in our boat!

Asian carp are the most visible invasive species, but it is their destruction of habitat and the food chain that they have in common with all other invasive species. No matter how you like to enjoy the outdoors, invasive species are impacting camping, wildlife watching, hunting and fishing. I hope all Wildlife Forever supporters will take the time to educate themselves about the dangers of invasive species and the potential loss of America's wildlife heritage.

Wishing For More Wildlife Habitat? Your Vote Can Make It Happen

A $5,000 donation will be made by LEC to the charity that receives the most wishes (online votes) by midnight on December 29th.

Wildlife Forever is behind and needs everyone's wish (vote) to win a $5,000 donation.
Don't wait. Invest 10 seconds of your time right now to help conservation.

You can make your habitat wish come true for 2010 by making a wish at their web site and selecting Wildlife Forever as your charity. The entire process takes but a few seconds.

It's quick and easy, but we've still provided these step by step directions:

1. Go to the wishing (voting) web site.
2. Scroll down slightly and click "Make a Wish".
3. Type in your wish (Anything you want to wish for).
4. Click "Add Your Wish"
5. Enter your first name, email address and city.
6. Select Wildlife Forever from menu "Select a Nonprofit Organization"
7. Click "Agree to Terms and Conditions" and then click "Submit".

The rules are one vote (wish) per email address. If you have more than one email address, you can vote (wish) multiple times.

You can see how the wishing (voting) is going by clicking "Track The Wish Count" in the bottom right corner of the main page you started on. As of right now, Wildlife Forever has 29 wishes while the leading charity has over 300. We need everyone's help to win the $5,000 donation.

Make your wish come true by acting today and then encouraging your friends and family to make a wish for more wildlife habitat. Just copy and paste this web address into an email: http://bit.ly/Wish4Wildlife.

Kentucky Waters Enhanced For Urban Anglers

The North Fork of the Little River in the Hopkinsville, Kentucky area is a better urban fishery thanks to a stream enhancement project that was funded by Wildlife Forever. The project involved installing deflectors at 16 locations along a three mile stretch of the river. Deflectors cause waters to create deeper channels and provide cooler water for fish during hot summer months.

Workers add rip rap as part of an effort to improve water quality in Kentucky's Little River.

This project was one phase of an extensive river restoration project that affected more than 28,000 residents in and around the town. The community joined the efforts and held river clean-up projects, improved access areas and developed a walking trail along the river. The Little River flows through the center of town and offers angling for bass, crappie and bluegills. Other project partners include FishAmerica Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fighting Back Against Invasive Species

Wildlife Forever's efforts against invasive species include much more than an award winning education and communications campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to stop the spread of invasive species, but what do you do when non-native species have already established themselves?

In Sheldon North Dakota, you'll see more ducks, deer and geese than people. Lying in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region, this area is home to countless waterfowl and wildlife. However, many of the area Waterfowl Production Areas, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, had recently come under attack from ruthless invaders. Invasive Species were wreaking havoc on these critical prairie habitats, choking out native grasses and displacing waterfowl plus song and upland birds.

This project took aim at eliminating Russian Olive trees and other invasive species on 220 acres of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed waterfowl production areas. Wildlife Forever starting with with the Save the Hens Foundation last fall to start taking back the prairie. Work began on two sites identified in Ransom County, North Dakota.

To minimize damage to existing prairie grasses, light weight power equipment was used.

Using limited heavy equipment, chainsaws, hard work, and a tough pair of gloves, the first step was to flush cut the non-native trees. The stumps were then treated with an approved herbicide.

Dump trucks made many trips to rid this prairie of invasive trees.

Felled trees were moved to a central area where needed heavy equipment could work. From there, the Russian olives were loaded into dump trucks and taken to a facility for destruction.

Volunteers provided two-thirds of all the required labor, saving nearly $5,000. Partners on this project included Save The Hens Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Scheels, Enderlin-Sheldon Wildlife Club and the ALICE Wildlife Club.

The View From Here: Running Wild

By Pat Conzemius, Wildlife Forever Project Manager

Each year, thousands of outdoors men and women are diagnosed with serious health problems. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and obesity occur far too often, preventing us from getting outdoors, doing what we love and passing on our American way of life. I wanted to do something about the problem so thought up the idea of Run Wild! My plan was to take conservation personally and promote healthy outdoor lifestyles, starting with myself.

Last December 2008, I pledged to run the 28th Annual Twin Cities Marathon, running for those who are less fortunate and unable to get outdoors and enjoy the traditions they once did. I had never run before but I wanted to encourage those who could, to start their own "Wildlife Training" as well. My goal was to inspire generations of outdoor enthusiasts towards slimmer waist lines and "super sized" outdoor adventures, knowing the challenge had to start with me. I had some serious work to do.

Nine months later, and thirty pounds lighter, on October 4th, 2009 at 8:00a.m. the gun went off under perfect running skies for my first ever marathon. Temperatures hovered around 48 degrees and peaked in the afternoon around 55 degrees.

"Crazy Legs" Pat Joins 11,000 Other Marathoners At the Opening Gun

It was a great run and I was on pace to finish in 4 hours. I managed to see my family and Wildlife Forever support crew at several spots throughout the course cheering me on. I felt great until somewhere around mile 19. I hit what runners call, "The Wall". My energy level crashed and due to strict rules, I could not have support runners (my wife had hoped to run by my side for encouragement over the last 10 miles).

I popped a couple of Excedrin for pain relief and a boost of caffeine and quickly realized that on an empty stomach, that was not a good idea. Dry heaves started and I felt terrible.
All the while blisters were growing and popping under each toe and in the arch of both feet. I was hurting.

A few orange slices later, with water and Powerade, things started feeling better. Knowing a 4 hour marathon was out of reach, I took to a 4 step strategy. If I could run 4 steps at a time, I might just make it.

The support along the race route was unbelievable. Complete strangers were hooting and hollering and cheering as if they knew each one of the runners. Music was blaring from people’s homes. Rock bands and marching bands were playing live music. People on bikes rode next to the runners with stereos strapped to the handlebars blasting the “Rocky” theme song. The support was incredible.

The hills of Summit Avenue with blistered feet soon began to take their toll but with one last push, the St. Paul Cathedral was in sight. There, thousands of screaming supporters lined the streets while an enormous American flag flew overhead. I crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 17 minutes and as I bowed to accept my medal, the young girl looked at me and said, “good job, you did it!” That was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I did it! We did it!!! What started out as a crazy dream became a reality.

With nearly 11,000 runners and 300,000 spectators, this was an event of a lifetime. The outpouring of support from friends, family, and the Wildlife Forever community was incredible and it made all the difference in the world. Happy with the time, humbled by the pain, I can proudly state, Run Wild! was a raging success!

Pat Reacts to the Cheers of Wildlife Forever Supporters at Mile 17.

With everyone’s support, Run Wild! raised $8,701 dollars for conservation. Through our programs at Wildlife Forever, these funds will continue the work on stopping invasive species. They will also allow us to continue reaching out to America’s youth through the State Fish Art Contest, teaching the next generation about fisheries conservation through the creative arts. It will also allow us to fund projects, like the one we just finished in North Dakota where we helped restore a Waterfowl Production Area. The donations and support of Run Wild! makes all that happen.

The success of Run Wild! does not end with me crossing the finish line. Donations are still being taken plus more events are planned for next year. We hope you’ll get involved. For those of you who doubted me, I say HA! and challenge you to our Run Wild!10K and Walk Wild! 5K next year. If you are interested in running or walking for Wildlife Forever, let us know and we’ll help you get started to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors. I hope to see you Run Wild! That’s the view from here.