Annual Meeting
It was the coldest night of the winter but that didn’t
stop many DCCL members from coming out for the annual meeting held on January 25th at
Schwoegler’s Lanes. In addition to some nice door prizes and FREE PIZZA, the
Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Mark LaBarbera, made a
very informative presentation. Of course, one of the main events of the evening
was the election of Board members and officers. Those elected to 3-year terms
were: Tom Klingbiel, Richard Brye, Jeff Bloomer and Greg Dahl. Tom Ripp was
elected to fill out an open 1-year term. All are incumbents except Tom Ripp.
Steve Johnson chose not to seek re-election this year. We thank Steve for his
past service to the League. Later, the Board members elected Sharon Schwab as
President, Tim Heindl as Vice-President, Jeff Bloomer as Treasurer, and Lowell
Carter as Secretary. The Board meets the 3rd Tuesday
of every month at Schwoegler’s Lanes at 7pm and all members are always welcome
to attend.
February Membership Meeting
The general membership meeting will be held at 7pm at
Schwoegler’s Lanes in Madison on Tuesday, February 22. We plan to have a
speaker from the Prairie Enthusiasts organization. Last year the League made a
significant donation to a land purchase south of Blue Mounds spearheaded by the
Prairie Enthusiasts. We look forward to hearing about plans for the land. It
adjoins some land already held by this Prairie Enthusiasts.
Volunteers Needed
Wisconsin Fishing Expo The
annual Wisconsin Fishing Expo is back this year at the Alliant Energy Center on
February 25, 26, and 27. The DCCL will have a booth at the Expo. This is an
opportunity to attract new members. If you would like to help, contact Tom
Klingbiel at 608-575-0295 or email at tom.klingbiel@gmail.com
Open Seasons Sportsmen’s Expo (formerly Deer and
Turkey Expo) Although the name changed several years ago, it
seems that everyone still calls this event the Deer and Turkey Expo. It was
moved to the Kalahari Convention Center at Wisconsin Dells last year and will be
held there again this year on March 25, 26 and 27. We will have a booth at this
Expo, also. If you would like to help, call Richard Brye at 608-831-5878 or
email at rbrey@charter.net
DCCL Scholarships Presented
We are happy announce that two UW-Stevens Point
students from Stoughton have been selected to receive the two annual $1,000
scholarships for 2022. Eli Halvorson is majoring in Resource Management
(Natural Resource Planning and Management) while Erin McCune is majoring in
Forestry (Ecosystem Restoration and Management). Congratulations to both young
people. To qualify for a DCCL scholarship an applicant must be an upper
classman enrolled in the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and a
Wisconsin Resident.
Hunter Safety Education
Ray Anderson and his group of volunteers report that
during 2021, 196 students completed the Hunter Safety Education Classes. Of
those, 31 were adults. Enrollments were down somewhat from the past due to COVID
issues and there was an on-line test option last year. The League donates blaze
orange caps to all who graduate with the wording “DCCL Hunter Safety” emblazoned
on the front.
Draft Prairie Chicken Management
Plan
The DCCL is recommending that members review and
comment on the WDNR’s plan(s). You can search the DNR website under ‘prairie
chickens’ for the text of the plan. We suggest emailing your support for
Alternative 1. There are four alternatives; number one being of most benefit to
the birds and number four being the least beneficial. Alternative 1 provides a
great conservation bang for the buck. It will not only benefit the prairie
chickens, but all grassland bird species in the area. The plan could also help
grow grass-land based agriculture and help fight climate change through carbon
sequestration, as well as improve soil health and water quality. You can email
your support to alaina.gerrits@wisconsin.gov.
Conservation Reserve Program Info
There will be a general CRP signup from January 31
through March 11, 2022. Currently there are 22.1
million acres enrolled with a goal of 25.5 million.
This program helps establish long-term resource conserving plant species to
help control erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. The
DCCL has several hundred acres in the Grassland Reserve Program that is part of
the Conservation Reserve Program.
IF YOU HAVEN’T PAID YOU 2022 DCCL
DUES, IT’S NOT TOO LATE
Conserve Now That The Future May Live!!