Greetings from the Minnesota Wildlife Federation!

If you haven’t already heard I am excited to share with you that as of the start of the new year The Minnesota Conservation Federation officially became The Minnesota Wildlife Federation.

Our Board of Directors, in conversation with myself, and after careful consideration approved this name change. We are proud of the legacy of work and conservation successes that grew from the dedication of those who served “The MCF” for many decades. The decision to change our name grew from a desire to provide our organization with the best opportunity to meet the needs of conservation in Minnesota today and into the future.

It’s pretty cool to be able to be part of an organization with such a long history and I am glad to be able to do my part to build on our legacy of conservation success.

I enjoyed a recent ice fishing trip with my son. I can hardly believe that it was our 6th annual overnight ice fishing weekend. I was unimpressed with the fishing but forgot that quickly when my son said in the car that “It was the least fish but the most fun”! Hard to beat that.

In my role on the Minnesota Clean Water Council we often talk about the difference between funding programs and projects. A successful project can have a big impact but by creating long term programs we are often able to replicate the success of individual projects. Programs can last years and build capacity as more folks take part in the individual projects that make up a program.

As you go about planning outdoor adventures for the coming year with family and friends consider starting a “program”. Call your next fishing, foraging, or outdoor trip the “1st annual”. You may just be starting a tradition that will carry on for years to come.

Yours in Conservation,

Brad Gausman

MWF Executive Director

[email protected]

A new name came with the opportunity to update our classic loon logo and get some new merch online. Check out our new online store at the link below.

MWF’s Conservation Leadership Academy introduces future conservation leaders to hunting, fish, and conservation advocacy over the course of an academic year.

Our most recent program took place Jan 24-25 in the Brainerd area and focused on ice fishing. Extreme temps resulted in a small but mighty cohort of student participants that fished alongside conservation mentors who also shared their personal and professional contributions to natural resources conservation in Minnesota.

Thank you to MWF board member Tyler Winter @buffalo_catcher, MWF Board Member Elena Mathys , and James Lehner from @conservationminnesota for sharing their conservation passion.

Shout out to @midsota_guideservice for helping our group find fish and stay warm!

The Minnesota DNR Roundtable is annual event that brings together many Minnesotans who are active in conservation and natural resources advocacy. Along with an opportunity to reconnect with many partners the event includes topic specific breakout sessions that allow attendees to hear from DNR leadership, staff, and partner organizations regarding programs, projects, and areas of concern.

MWF Executive Director Brad Gausman helped plan and participate in a breakout session focused on Chronic Wasting Disease and efforts to keep our Whitetail deer herd healthy with DNR Wildlife Research Manager Seth Goreham.

MWF board members Julia Schrenkler, Elena Mathys, Leya Charles, and Tyler Winter were in attendance and are pictured above with MN DNR Commission Sarah Strommen.

Minnesota Wildlife Federation is proud to be the independent state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. Each winter the Chief Executives of all 52 state and territories gather for the annual Affiliate Chiefs Executive meeting. The event provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with folks from across the Federation to talk about issues of conservation importance.

This years meeting was hosted in Spokane by Conservation Northwest the NWF Washington state affiliate. We received a warm welcome from the Mayor of Spokane, Lisa Brown, and Craig Hill of the Spokane Tribe. Representatives of the Kalispel Natural Resources Department demonstrated science-based conflict aversion techniques with cougars on a field trip along the lively Spokane River, as well as presented information on the past, present and future conservation priorities for the Kalispel Tribe in habitat and species recovery.

Pictured below- MWF ED Brad Gausman and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation ED Cody Kamrowski enjoyed time outdoors together and stunning views of the Spokane River.