This past June has been one heck of a month for the Minnesota Conservation Federation. With a legacy going back to 1936 I’m always exciting to be part of a “first” for the organization. Well we certainly had one this past month when for the first time in our history Minnesota Conservation Federation was the host of the 89th Annual National Wildlife Federation Annual Meeting. Around 300 folks traveled to Minneapolis to take part in the weeklong conference. Read on for more pictures, descriptions of the event, and highlights from MNCF Board President Julia Schrenkler.
The end of the MN legislative session saw the an environment omnibus bill pass with a few issues of interest to the MNCF community. Those interested in pursing both largemouth and smallmouth bass will soon have the opportunity to do so year round via catch and release. A years long conversation at the legislature regarding the southern Minnesota shotgun zone for deer hunting came to a conclusion with the passage of language eliminating the zone and beginning a process of including center fire rifles as a legal harvest method statewide. Stay tuned though as language allowing certain entities to create their own firearm type restrictions for hunting may soon come into play if you hunt deer via firearm in SE MN.
The legislative development of most interest to MNCF was the passage of language creating a state Foraging Task Force. MNCF was supportive of the creation of this task force and is looking forward to hopefully being appointed to a seat by the MN DNR as a representative of conservation organizations. The development of rules and regulations for the foraging of wild foods on Minnesotas various public land types will help to expand opportunities for folks interested in foraging, thereby creating more stakeholders for the conservation of the resource.
If you have any thoughts about issues related to foraging that you think should be examined by the task force please just be in touch!
I hope you are able to get outdoors and enjoy your favorite places this summer!
This summer a new task force created by the Minnesota legislature will be working to provide guidance towards efforts to give Minnesotans a better understanding of current and potential rules and regulations pertaining to the foraging of wild foods on state lands.
Do you forage wild foods in Minnesota? What do you forage? What type of lands do you forage on? State forests? WMA’s?
MNCF is working to gain a seat on the task force and we want to be prepared to hit the ground running.
Please reach out to us about how and why foraging is important to you. Know an active forager? Pass along this email and let them know to get in touch with us.
Just email Brad at [email protected] or use the button below to get in touch with me via email.
Check out the MNCF Conservation Leadership Academy
A letter from MNCF Board President Julia Schrenkler
MNCF supporters,
National Wildlife Federation delegates from around the country and our neighbors from Canada migrated to Minneapolis in early June for the annual NWF meeting. It was wonderful to watch Brad Gausman welcome the hall to our state, and even better to see his work recognized. The energy, the interest, and the values around conservation were palpable in every breakout room and event. I firmly believe that MNCF and the NWF are vital to the future of our natural world, and integral to inspire more people to stewardship. Every conversation was grounded in reality yet high in hope, and even better, followed up by action.
This experience was also an incredible reminder of our good public land and habitat fortunes, as I got to see Minnesota’s parks, wildlife programs, and devotion to the natural world through visitors’ eyes. If pride of place is a crime, I’m an outlaw and should be doing serious time.
If you feel the same, I ask you to forward this email to someone who cares about Minnesota as much as you do. MNCF is gearing up – and fast – for additional education and interactive efforts. Share our invite to the table, because we all share this world.
-Julia Schrenkler, MNCF Board President
The National Wildlife Federation Comes to Minnesota
The 89th Annual Meeting of the National Wildlife Federation took place in Minneapolis this past month. It was a wonderful opportunity to host representatives of all 52 NWF affiliate organizations along with NWF staff and conservation partners from across the country.
MNCF helped to craft the meeting with an eye towards showcasing the amazing conservation work being done in our state but also the outdoor opportunities available in Minnesota. Even in a place as urban as downtown Minneapolis.
A few highlights:
Learning sessions that focused on work important to MNCF like Chronic Wasting Disease, Invasive Carp, and the uniqueness of Native Rough Fish.
An opening welcome from Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan that included a shout out to local breakfast staple, Minneapolis’s own Al’s Breakfast.
A keynote address from Professor Anton Treuer.
Field trips that moved attendees out of the hotel and into the out of doors.
Two reserved seats at the head table for the annual NWF banquet and awards ceremony.
MNCF ED Brad Gausman and MN DNR Wildlife Manager Logan Neu give an overview of Minnesotas CWD surveillance efforts in whitetail deer.
NWF’s Marc Smith kicks off a session about work to stop the spread of invasive carp.
MNCF Board President Julia Schrenkler with representatives from the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Ranger Rick attends a session focused on Native Rough Fish, such as the gar, led by Professor Solomon David from the University of Minnesota.
A kayak paddle got attendees up close with the Mississippi River.
The University of Minnesota Forever Green institute led a group through their research fields.
Some participants joined together for a food foraging walk led by Linda Blackelk.
Fun was had outside of the official agenda. Folks took advantage of our downtown location to cheer the Lynx to victory.
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