On 3/1/08 we gave a presentation to 20 4H leaders from around the state at the Kettunen Center located near Tustin in Osceola County. The Kettunen Center is the Michigan State University 4H Center in Michigan. The importance of teaching the 4H kids about our natural resources was stressed.
On 3/10/08 we attended an information meeting in Cadillac about future funding proposals for the DNR ny State Representative Joel Sheltron, which we support. On 3/12/09 we attended a Michigan Resource Stewards meeting at Clare. On 3/18/08 we held our last chapter meeting before the Rendezvous. Last minute details were ironed out and discussion on several conservation issues were discussed.
On 4/14/08 we attended a meeting at Pellston of the Michigan Bird Conservation Initiative Ornithological Congress (MIBCI). Turkeys are birds too and we wanted to see where they fit into the scheme of things. On 4/6/08 we manned a MWTHA booth at a gun show at the Big Bear Sportsmans Club at Kaleva. A few items were raffled off and a shotgun was purchased for the next Rendezvous.
On 4/18/08 we attended a meeting of the Michigan Conservation Coalition at MUCC headquarters in Lansing. Perhaps someday other hunting and fishing organizations will realize we are being short changed on public forest management. Ignorance is truly bliss. On 5/4/08 we attended the MUCC District 13 meeting at Clare. We updated the clubs present on the various meetings and presentations made and the action taken.
On 5/5/08 we gave our Wild Turkey presentation in three segments to 321 senior citizens (I can relate) at Elder Hostel at the Kettunen Center. We had a great feedback. On 5/8/08 we attended the Natural Resources Commission meeting at Lansing. We testified in support of the proposed Land Use Rules for the Pigeon River Country State Forest and urged the DNR Director to adopt them. (See article entitled Paradise Lost in this issue). On 5/13 we traveled to the state capitol in Lansing for a hearing on access restrictions in the Pigeon River State Forest before the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources committee. The horse people were trying an end around maneuver. We once again testified in support of the DNR Director’s Land Use Orders. For the past 25 years we have been attending various legislative meetings at the Capitol. I used to return home rather impressed after watching democracy in action. These days I have to take a shower upon my return.
On 5/14 & 15/08 spent the two days presenting the Wild Turkey program to 325 4th grade students, from the 4 school districts within Osceola County at Rural Education Days in 20 minute segments. Once again we were well received. As a side note the Earth Day presentations for about 145 5th grade Reed City School students was cancelled because of a bomb threat. The make up day was rained out.
On 5/15/08 we attended a Muskegon River Watershed Assembly meeting at Reed City. An update on various habitat projects and problems confronting our local Muskegon River watershed was presented.
On 5/22/08 the Wild Turkey program was presented to 70 5th grade students from the Whittmore-Prescott school at the Kettunen Center. On 5/29/08 the Wild Turkey program was presented to 112 5th grade students and 28 adults from the Lakeview School at the Kettunen Center.
On 6/11/08 attended the Michigan Resource Stewards meeting at Clare. On 6/21 & 22/08 we attended the MUCC convention that was held at Sault Ste. Marie. Although the resolutions brought forth were short on conservation, those that did were of interest to us and most of the time we prevailed.
On 6/27/08 a letter was sent to DNR Director Rebecca Humphries opposing the proposed sale of 1,693 acres of state forests in Crawford County for use as an amusement park. This will set a horrible precedent for the future. Because of the noise and activity thousands of adjacent acres will be affected. If some corporation wants land for an amusement park then let them buy private land and deal with the local units of government.
