DCCL ANNUL BANQUET APRIL 20th 2023 PDF

DANE COUNTY CONSERVATION LEAGUE’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

Scott Craven, Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Ecology will be our MC

                    THURSDAY APRIL 20^th

  5:30 P.M. Social    7:00 P.M. Dinner

  (LIMITED TO 130 PEOPLE)

  Rex’s Innkeeper  301 North Century Avenue, Waunakee

2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

 

Every year four spots on the board of directors are open for any current member to try and attain.  Incumbents Tom Ripp, Dwaine Rundle and Jerry Sands were re-elected.  Chris Worley was elected to a seat vacated by Denise Johnson.  Denise has been on the board for several years and has served the League well.  We thank her for her contributions to the DCCL and conservation in Dane County.   Monica Spaeni was appointed to a one-year term as member- at- large as allowed by the League by-laws.   Thanks to Chris and Monica for stepping up to help guide the League in the future. After the general meeting, the board met to elect officers.  The following were elected: Sharon Schwab, President; Tim Heindl, Vice-President, Jeff Bloomer, Treasurer and Lowell Carter, Secretary.  Monica Spaeni was the guest speaker and gave a presentation regarding AccessAbility Wisconsin.  Monica was the founder of this organization whose goal is to place an all-terrain mobile chair in each county in Wisconsin for use by anyone who is unable to walk and enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoors.  Monica was also the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year.  

 

Other highlights of the evening were the complimentary pizza and some terrific raffle prizes that included gift cards to Cabela’s and Fleet-Farm.  

 

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FEBRUARY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

 

Please try to join us on Tuesday, February 28 at 7p.m. at Schwoegler’s Lanes in Madison for the February meeting.  Guest speakers will be DNR Wildlife Biologists Lesa Kardash and Erin Grossman.  They are currently managing the prairie chicken lands in central Wisconsin of which over 4300 acres are owned by the DCCL.  This will be a very informative program and they will gladly answer your questions about all of the activities taking place.  See you on the 28^th.

  

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WISCONSIN FISHING EXPO

 

The annual Fishing Expo will take place on February 24-26 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.  The League will have a booth again this year.  We would appreciate some help in manning the booth for an hour or two if you plan to attend.  If you are willing to do so, please contact Tom Klingbiel.  His email is tom.klingbiel@gmail.com and his phone number is 608-575-0295.  

 

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DCCL ANNUAL BANQUET

 

In the next few weeks a flyer will be sent out announcing the DCCL Banquet for 2023.  It will be held at Rex’s Innkeeper in Waunakee again this year on April 20.  As you know, this event always sells out quickly so consider yourself forewarned.

 

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DCCL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

 

We are happy to announce that UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources has awarded the two $1,000 DCCL annual scholarships to Meagan O’Neill of Madison and Brooke McCallum of Oregon.  Meagan is majoring in Soil and Water Resources and Brooke is majoring in Resource Management.  A formal presentation will be made on April 21 in Stevens Point.  Richad Brye of the DCCL board will attend.  Congratulations to Meagan and Brooke.  The League set up these two annual grants a few years ago and all recipients are from Wisconsin and mostly Dane County.  Funding has been established so that these are perpetual scholarships.

 

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2023 FARM BILL

 

Every five years Congress attempts to pass a Farm Bill.  This year is one of those years.  The bill is massive and most the $20 billion per year expenditures go for supplemental nutrition programs.  But, even with only about 7% marked for conservation initiatives, that is a pile of money and dwarfs any other conservation spending.  Of course, one of the most visible measures is the Conservation Reserve Program that provides so much habitat for many game and non-game species.  Any of us involved with pheasants can fully appreciate CRP.  The current bill expires in September.  About 40% of House members are new since the last Farm Bill was passed, so a lot of education must take place.  Currently, no member from Wisconsin is on the Agriculture Committee.

 

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IF YOU HAVEN’T PAID YOUR 2023 DUES, NO WORRIES.  WE WILL GLADLY ACCEPT YOUR DOLLARS.  

 

THANK YOU!

  

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