By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bruceross@wi.rr.com
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s May, 2021 Newsletter edition.
We are getting to the final stretch in the effort to “give the ducks a raise” – the increase of the funds available for wetland restoration through an adjustment in the duck stamp price. If you haven’t contacted your legislators about this yet, it’s not too late (but getting close!).
Click here for a really simple way to communicate your support and, in case you missed it, here’s the action alert we sent out earlier last month:
| ACTION ALERT- TELL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO SUPPORT THE KNOWLES–NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM AND A DUCK STAMP ADJUSTMENT
The Wisconsin Legislature is currently debating two critically important conservation tools for our state.
But without your voice, the continuation and proper funding for these programs is in jeopardy. |
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| The Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program…
is Wisconsin’s conservation program to acquire public lands for outdoor recreation – including hunting and fishing.
Since 1989, this program has helped protect thousands of acres for our residents to hunt, fish and recreate. Your favorite public hunting spot was likely acquired through Knowles-Nelson.
If the Legislature does not act now, it will end. That means we will lose the ability to provide public lands for hunting, fishing and recreation.
We need to ensure that the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is renewed for another 10 years so today’s users – and future generations – can continue to participate in these treasured past-times. |
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| The current Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp price…
of $7 has been in place since 1997 – over 24 years ago!!
Unfortunately, twenty-four years of inflation has significantly reduced the buying power of this critically important conservation funding. This means less habitat work can be done every year.
That means fewer acres of wetland habitat in Wisconsin… and fewer ducks.
A modest adjustment to price of the waterfowl stamp is long overdue, so we are asking lawmakers to support a $5 increase–less than a box of trap shells.
Access to hunting lands, and more opportunity to see and harvest waterfowl are key to hunter satisfaction. This stamp increase will address both of these factors |
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| Both programs are vitally important to our state’s sportsmen and women as they provide the public lands for us to hunt, and the funds to create and enhance habitat for waterfowl. |
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By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bruceross@wi.rr.com
