Working at DU out here in the west was “interesting” this last year, to say the least. In California, we were particularly challenged by frozen bond funds, halting progress toward completing ten million dollars worth of contracted projects. The staff here put in long hours, seeking creative ways, such as a no interest loans from [...]
It’s hard to wrap my head around it, but I’ve been at Ducks Unlimited for almost a year now. The difficulty of the wrap around is less about the passage of time and more about the information I’m still trying to absorb. The amount of work that originates in the Western Regional Office is astounding. [...]
There are nearly 37 million people in California, a tremendous amount of people who consume a stunning amount water and require a great deal of electricity. Usually around the office, we worry about water, but lately, power has been at the forefront of our conversation.
We use a lot of power in Northern CA, particularly in [...]
Hopefully, most of my waterfowl conservation and hunting friends are already aware of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), but did you know that the president has suggested a $10 million dollar increase in NAWCA funding for FY 2010? This brings NAWCA funds up to $52 million across the country and honestly, it’s the [...]
There was a time when the peregrine falcon was considered a natural resource and a beloved partner to falconers. We trapped young birds on the beach during their first migration, flew them and hunted with them for a season, releasing them to return on the migration, just as wild as before. I have been told that there is nothing [...]
We’re all aching from the sudden shift in the economy. I doubt there’s a single person out there that hasn’t felt the effects of the recession. So there’s no need to launch into a sob story, but what is happening in California at least merits discussion, if only because it’s interesting.
In late December, while still [...]
A few tidbits from the Mid Winter Waterfowl Survey Report from California:
In the Sacramento Valley, fall ground surveys on federal refuges indicated peak duck numbers of about 1.7 million, about 15% lower than last year. Of course, precipitation was below average. Areas like Lincoln which depend more on precipitation showed a decrease [...]
Where all you all? Where are the leaders who should be building a young inspired internet tribe of water warriors in North America? I’m listening and I’m not hearing you. If you don’t step up now it will be over soon.
