Thanks to all of you who participated in the DNR's Spring Conservation Congress Hearing and Expressions of Opinion (the DNR and Conservation Congress doesn't like to call the voting voting). To the results...
Which are too varied and complicated to fully report on them in this blog; see the full results here.
Eastern Bluebirds at a nest box. Photo by Arlene Koziol
With the help of conservation organizations such as Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and folks like you, we might have made some progress on some important issues.
The results strongly support DNR education to inform folks on the many seriously bad effects of using lead ammunition for hunting.
Enthusiasm also surfaced for support of bluebirds and grassland bird species and for better education concerning the damage feral cats inflict on birds and other wildlife.
Folks also backed landowners who want to stop power companies from damaging prairies and other native habitats when they maintain power lines on private property.
My special thanks to all of you who voted for stronger protection of shovelnose sturgeon on the Lower Wisconsin River—that too passed.
A juvenile Bald Eagle eating carrion. Photo by Andrew Reding FCC
Bans on lead hunting ammunition and leaving non-edible parts of game animals in the field were not supported. SoWBA's concerns about such ammo and leaving entrails center in lead poisoning of wildlife. The first is going to be a tough issue. Hunters are concerned about the higher cost of non-toxic ammo and some see such a ban as just another anti-hunting proposal in disguise. Let's work on more widespread and well informed education to make progress on this issue.
In more urban southern Wisconsin counties, feral cats had a bad night with more restrictive proposals supported. In those same areas, folks want restrictions on hunting coyotes and on the training of bear hounds. In Northern Wisconsin, concern continues to mount over wake boats.
Like just about anyone who'd review all these results, I found some encouraging and some headshakers. Overall, though, it seemed to me that most participants want the conservation and protection of our natural resources to improve. That's enough to brighten my spring just a bit more.
On behalf of SoWBA and this fan of the shovelnose sturgeon and bluebirds, thank you for participating in the Conservation Congress.
Topf Wells, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance advocacy committee
