Junk Mail...

I dont get it.

The mail arrived Saturday and there was another one.  A fat envelope stuffed with pleas and offers from a big time conservation group.

My personal favorite, a shiny new nickel was tacked to one of the 7 pieces of paper in the envelope.

Did I mention there was a sheet of stickers?

All of the pieces push a worthwhile cause, but at what expense?

These conservation organizations, some of the biggest in the game, seem to be reducing their messaging to the same pile of mail that the credit card offers go into

Junk Mail.

Aside of that, I have to assume that the tens of thousands of these offers go out, a vast majority end up in the trash system.

Fundraising is the lifeblood of these organizations, and in now way am I saying these people are not smart but do these things really work?

I'd love to know.

Calling Bullshit....

I received quite the email today.  What a steaming pile it was.

The Environmental Policy Alliance (cough...shell company....cough) has released a video that claims that groups like The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, The Isaak Walton League and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers are just green decoys, groups masquerading around as fronts for massive anti sportsman, anti gun, liberal organizations

Hold on a second there,  It takes all of about 3 seconds of typing on google to get a feel as to the Environmental Policy Alliance and their work.

This group is a front for  DC lobbyist Rick Berman of Berman and Co.   .

Take a peek at this this Huff Post article that details this organization

Rather than attack this farce of a video, rather than attack The Environmental Policy Alliance, ask yourself this;

Do you really think that these three organizations, with all their employees, all their volunteers, all their time on the ground protecting our open spaces, our rights as outdoor men and women would risk all that they have done because they are trying to push "liberal agenda"

Take the TRCP for instance.  Their mission is to "Guarantee you a place to place to hunt and fish." Spend five minutes on their web site and go ahead and find something other than hard working people pushing their mission to keep our public lands open and available to use

The Issak Walton League was founded in 1922, hell of a long time to be be on the take right?

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers....hell I've been to their events in person and I can personally tell you I would have had a hell of a time anti gun non hunter in the bunch, trust me.

I openly wonder if these three groups are being attacked in such a manner because they prevent development and energy extraction on public lands.  Hmmmmmm.

So back to the other EPA.  If they're claiming these organizations are green decoys, then what are the companies that are funding this PR firm

Just as a sneak peak, from the Huff post article above, on some of the quality initiatives the parent company has taken on

"Berman & Co. has previously attacked organizations like the Humane Society of the United States and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and campaigned against minimum-wage increases and unionization."

This video is meant to piss people off.  It's meant to be divisive.  

Let it piss you off into action, and here's what I propose:

Support these groups that they're attacking.  Make a donation.  Help them in their efforts to keep our lands open for enjoyment.  Our outdoor culture depends on wide open spaces of public land.  

Volunteer your time.  Put your boots in the dirt and do something to help

And for the other guys.  Meh, dont waste your time.