Wasting away one afternoon recently on the internets, I came across a thread on a
message board that really got me thinking.
Are you spending your time talking, or acting on or being a part of the conservation of our outdoor resources.
The responses were quite interesting. Some spoke of who they support, what groups they're members of, and who they contribute time to with boots on the ground effort on specific projects.
More telling, were the responses that were either truthful
"I'm not doing enough" or "
I hope to get more involved soon"
or the question seemed to hold a mirror up to folks who deep down knew they weren't giving back and they didn't like what they saw staring back at them.
A few days prior, there was an interesting
article in Forbes about outdoor companies that actually contribute hard dollars or labor to conservation efforts.
The article and the message board conversation go hand in glove.
Are you giving, or are you just taking from our collective outdoor resources.
Are you investing for the future of hunting, fishing and outdoor endeavors, or are you just profiting from short term sales success?
So here's my ask of you....
Who are you supporting? Who are you volunteering for? Are you rewarding companies that support conservation with your wallet?
The time is WAY over for you to be standing on the sidelines and not be involved.
Love cold water fisheries like and or fish like steelhead, salmon or westslope cutthroat? Get involved, here are a few for you to consider
Wild Steelhead Coalition
Wild Steelheaders United
Native Fish Society
Save Our Wild Salmon
Trout Unlimited
Dream 365 days a year about high mountain mule deer, elk or wild open spaces with chuckars and other upland game? Get involved, maybe with these groups
Mule Deer Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Pheasants Forever
National Wild Turkey Federation
There are countless organizations that would be jumping for joy for your volunteer hours, groups like the
Wild Steelhead Coalition that are almost entirely volunteer run, or up and coming groups like
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership who are battling public land access issues daily.
The biggest tip I can give you is join the group that best fits your passions. Don't spread yourself thin, make the biggest impact with the organization that you believe in the most. Own it, commit to it and be a part of the solution that gives our kids hope that what we love in the outdoors will be there for them when they're old enough to join us.
And if your an owner of a company that makes money off gear, trips, or collective outdoor resources, please take a look at how you can financially contribute back. It's nothing but solid business sense to invest in the future of the sports that use your equipment and or services.
Its time. Stop talking about it and put your plan into action
