Dane County Conservation League

DANE COUNTY CONSERVATION LEAGUE NEWS

 

DCCL NEWS FOR JULY  

 

 

MONICA SPAENI HONORED

 

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation recently named DCCL member, Monica Spaeni, as its Conservationist of the Year.  This is the highest award made by the WWF.  Although Monica is involved in various organizations and activities tied to either conservation or aiding people with mobility issues, she is probably best recognized as the founder and president of Access Ability Wisconsin.  AAW is a non-profit group whose goal is to place free, motorized outdoor wheelchairs with a trailer in all counties in the state for people to use.  These tank-like chairs enable anyone who lacks normal mobility to get into remote areas to enjoy hunting and fishing.  

 

Monica became immobilized due to a skiing accident and wanted to take firearms training for self-protection.  This led to interest in hunting and shooting, something she had never done before.  Now she is deeply involved in Hunter Education activities.  Monica points out that the chairs are not just for hunting purposes, but also for someone who just wants to get out and exercise the dog or go birding.  

 

To learn more about AAW the website is www.accessabilitywi.org. Congratulations, Monica.

 

 

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NRB VOTES TO AID PRAIRIE CHICKENS

 

At its June meeting, the Natural Resources Board voted 4-3 to approve a new prairie chicken plan that includes increasing and enhancing habitat management on state-owned lands in central Wisconsin.  About 4300 acres is owned by the DCCL and leased to the DNR without cost for 99 years with the requirement that it be managed for the benefit of prairie chickens.  Many other tracts of land in the area are also managed by the DNR for the same purpose.  Some of the main goals of the new plan include increasing grassland habitat by removing brush and doing more grazing, continuing research, adding additional managed acres through both purchase and lease, and encouraging neighboring land owners to convert sub-standard farm land to grassland. DCCL President, Sharon Schwab, attended the meeting virtually and reminded the Board that the work will benefit many species in addition to prairie chickens.  

 

At the same meeting the NRB approved purchasing some additional land bordering existing state lands subject to working out the final closing details.  The League is committed to making a financial contribution to the purchase if and when the deal is finalized.  

 

 

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COOKOUT AT THE FARM

 

August 13 is the tentative date for the annual pheasant farm cookout.  More information will be coming when finalized.  

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PHEASANT FARM UPDATE

 

The farm is open every Saturday morning from about 8am until 10am.  Those wanting to earn birds need to donate 12 hours at the farm or other DCCL event.  The birds are doing well, but your help is always appreciated. There is work to be done every week.  Due to rising feed costs etc., we will probably be increasing the cost to purchase birds by a few dollars. Bird release date will be September 3 for members with qualifying work hours while sales will happen on September 10.  When all details are firmed up, there will be further communication.

 

Don’t forget about dues. You must pay them to get birds.  If you attended the banquet in September of 2021, it included dues for 2022.  So, if you did not attend the September 2021 banquet, you need to pay your dues as usual for 2022.  

 

 

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Congratulations to DCCL member, Kevyn Quamme, who was elected First Vice-President at the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation annual meeting.  As First Vice-President, Kevyn would be next in line for the Presidency.  

 

December, 2021

 Dear Current and Past Dane County Conservation League Members:

 It’s time to renew your DCCL membership for 2022.  Memberships are concurrent with the calendar year.  I hope you will continue to support Dane County’s oldest conservation organization, a club with a rich history dating back to 1933.  

 RENEWAL LETTER

Although the health challenges of the past year have limited our activities, your dollars have allowed us to raise pheasants, build nesting structures, secure top-notch speakers for membership meetings, support Hunter Safety Training, donate funds to Dane County Parks for hunting and fishing properties as well as other conservation groups like the Prairie Enthusiasts, and fund a summer DNR internship at the prairie chicken property in Central Wisconsin.

 One of the proudest achievements of the League is the establishment of a perpetual scholarship fund at UW-Stevens Point. An annual grant will be made to two Wisconsin resident upper classman enrolled in the College of Natural Resources.    

 The League continues to operate a first class pheasant farm where members can earn birds; we have installed dozens of wood duck and bluebird houses in Dane County, built many bat roosting shelters for use in Dane County Parks, ran a top-notch banquet, cleaned up roadsides, and continued to cooperate with the DNR in managing our 4390 acres of prairie chicken lands in central Wisconsin.  We are also very proud that the DCCL was named the Conservation Organization of the Year in 2020 by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.  

 Our dues structure continues unchanged as it has for many years.  We hope you will clip and mail the form below in the near future (we especially need your email address).  Thank you for considering the DCCL and have a great year in Dane County’s outdoors.

 John Center

President, DCCL