The Wildlife Conservation through Education Committee - Who are we?
These fine events are the result of many months of collaborative work by a number of dedicated volunteers and conservation organizations.

Most of us on the Committee have training in physical and/or social sciences and an appreciation of the stocks and flows from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

We are diverse in our preferences. Some like to bird watch while others like to fish, hike, hunt, and/or take pictures. Some of us like to do it all. Some of us are from educational institutions, others from government agencies, and still others from non-governmental organizations.

All of us believe in a positive outdoor ethic. As Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife management said, "doing what is right when no one else is looking."

All of us believe in the importance of a well-rounded education, as education is intended to provide a strong foundation on which individuals can begin nurture understanding, formulate their own ideas, and develop support for policies, and engage in outdoor recreation.

What are our views?
Our view is that there are many functions of ecological systems (including, provision of oxygen, filtered water, and reduced soil erosion) including many recreational services. Some ecological systems are in our own backyards. While other systems are in wetlands, lakes, streams, fields, and forests. We believe that habitats and ecosystems are dynamic. We distinguish early successional habitats, but also recognize old growth forests.

In addition, many of us are concerned with the decline in outdoor recreation activities including the decline &/or risk of decline of revenues from user supported excise taxes, fish and game stamps, license fees and non-game income tax check in programs. Those revenues provide much of the funding for research, habitat acquisition, conservation education, and enforcement of regulations.

Folks not on our committee are also concerned. Richard Louv's best seller, "Last Child in the Woods" spoke of a malady affecting our youth: Nature Deficit Disorder. The Wildlife Conservation through Education Committee wants to improve the understanding of nature through objective education.

There are many spillovers from engaging in specific types of ethical outdoor recreation. But, without an understanding of the physical and social sciences undergirding aquatic and wildlife management, individuals will act in their own backyards, vote in the leisure time activity market place and the public policy voting box as ill-informed consumers.

But, why should anyone care about the woods or streams? Well, wildlife and its habitat can serve as environmental barometers. Here is an example, of a result from a melding of physical and social science knowledge. Being informed on the connections amongst habitat quantity and quality and costs, New York City residents chose to take financial steps to maintain the quality of the upstate watershed. Why? ...So that drinking water could be provided to New York City at lower cost. Adopting such a policy, would also enhance recreational opportunities for bird watchers, hikers, hunters, and outdoor photographers.

In our view, wildlife conservation policy guided by ignorance and fears is divisive and will not generate an enduring commitment to restoration and maintenance of wildlife habitat and conservation of ecosystem functions and services. Too often wildlife conservation is fraught with heartfelt vigorous and sometimes violent advocacy with minimal understanding of the facts. Wildlife conservation policy guided by emotion alone will not generate an effective and enduring conservation ethic.

What do we wish to achieve?
We designed each of these events to provide participants the following opportunities:

• To explore the issues that affect wildlife today
• To ask that they consider their roles as wildlife stewards
• To appreciate the critical roles that sports men and women play in creating and maintaining sustainable wildlife and wildlife habitat
• To apply scientific theory and principles to real-world applications; and
• To understand the role that science plays in their everyday lives

Results of the 2010 Wildlife Conservation through Education Committee Events

The Wildlife Conservation through Education Committee developed a program of 4 events under the leadership and prime sponsorship of the Wake County Wildlife Club and its Dixie Deer Classic.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side (TWWS). Nearly 1200 sixth grade youngsters went to school at the “Dixie Deer Classic.” Well, almost, TWWS workshops were held at the Kerr Scott building on the NC State Fairgrounds on Thursday March 4 and Friday March 5, 2010. The students came from far and near-- 11 counties in 2 states and from home, charter, private, and public schools. All courses were popular with positive feedback from students as well as teachers, chaperones, and parents. Early registration enabled teachers to choose from a menu of workshops that met standard course of study science objectives. The hands on workshops at TWWS included courses on the wild turkey, reptiles, birds of prey, backyard wildlife habitat, conservation careers, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and traditional archery.

Professional Track Habitat Conference. This opportunity to earn continuing forestry education credits and to listen and ask questions of a who’s who panel of experts brought about 125 folks to the conference. Panelists included top officials from the US Forest Service in NC, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, national Quality Deer Management Association, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The topic was managing private and public lands for wildlife. The event was held on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Jim Graham Building of the NC State Fairgrounds.

Outdoor Lore. Over 700 youngsters and adults attended interactive workshops throughout the 3 days of the Dixie Deer Classic at the Outdoor Lore venue in the Exposition Hall of the NC State Fairgrounds. The workshops included decoy carving, hunting 101, tree stand safety, traditional muzzle loading, traditional archery, fly tying/fishing, aging deer on the hoof, GPS/compass/ orienteering, trapping coyotes, hunting matters, young hunters and opportunities, preparation and taxidermy of game, and game trailing with tracking dogs. The biggest draw though was two live wolves with over 1500 folks stopping by to see them and ask questions.

NRA Youth Programs Wildlife Scavenger Hunt. NRA provided two directors (Edie Fleeman and Dave Butz) along with a draw (NASCAR vehicle) from another director (Richard Childress). The NCSU Leopold Wildlife Club provided over 25 volunteers to register and guide the hunters. And, nearly 20 conservation partners provided help in answering specific questions. Consequently, about 650 (175 middle/ high school; 475 pre/ elementary school) youngsters wound their way through the Dixie Deer Classic hunting for answers to questions on safety, ethics, and wildlife management. They were rewarded with hefty bags filled with many goodies and chances to win rifles, bow and arrows, and magazine subscriptions.