Reaching New Heights: The Importance of the Conservation Conversation

This important and crucial effort, along with helping sustain populations and herds, is the reason hunters are so passionate about having conservation conversations with people inside and outside of the hunting world.

While hunters and outdoor enthusiasts must continue to talk about conservation, wildlife plans and every facet of keeping sustainable numbers of game animals intact, it is absolutely critical that they convey this message about conservation to folks who haven’t heard it or think it doesn’t impact them. For the most part, there isn’t an audience who should be excluded! The conservation conversation cannot, and should not, be reserved only for those who have heard the turkey woods come alive at daybreak, or have seen a sunset from 15 feet up a tree, or watched a largemouth bass hit a top-water bait on a glass surface early in the morning. 

So why do people who don’t hunt or otherwise engage in outdoors activities as a hobby need to hear about the importance of conservation? The simple answer is this: The conservation of wildlife and habitats affects every single person on the planet, regardless of their level of involvement in outdoor activities, their eating habits or their stance on hunting and fishing. The benefits of a successful conservation effort include clean air, clean water, balanced ecosystems, and healthy, sustainable natural habitats such as forests, woodlands, wetlands, lakes, rivers and oceans.

A perfect example of this in real life is the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. Money from waterfowl licenses is a major source of cashflow that helped repair the state of emergency in mid-Michigan.

The uninitiated need to hear about conservation and understand why it’s crucial to have efforts in place around the globe to benefit game animals and their habitats, as well as other species such as pollinators, bees and other bugs and insects. All of these species coexist and work together indirectly to maintain ecosystems that we can enhance with the right conservation work.

Today, there are many nonprofit organizations such as the NWTF that are the tip of the spear when it comes to advocating for wildlife’s needs ― including healthy, sustainable forests and habitats ― but sadly, it just isn’t enough. In today’s world of developing subdivisions and business buildings on every street corner lot and the open spaces in between, the need to ensure forests and fields are protected for our wildlife populations to thrive and grow has never been greater. 

The notion that hunters are advocates for outdoor conservation may seem ironic, but it is indeed a fact. Outdoorsmen and women are arguably the best advocates for conservation for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the revenue generated by hunting and fishing licenses, which is no small sum, goes directly toward conservation efforts statewide, and not to mention an excise tax collected on firearms and ammo has provided billions of dollars to wildlife conservation since the introduction of the Pittman-Robertson Act. But beyond the financial aspect, these outdoor enthusiasts have an intimate and working knowledge of specifically which types of habitats are needed and in need, and they openly advocate for active and effective conservation efforts. Take NWTF’s dedicated volunteers, for example.  These folks have both the desire and commitment to manage and create sustainable forests, manage and control the population of wild animals and promote, endorse, and fund efforts to plant trees and harvest timber, while also working to recruit new hunters who do the same.

Unfortunately, both the hunting industry and outdoor enthusiasts are seeing a remarkable decline in participants from the younger demographic. This is a concern shared across the country and one that needs immediate attention. In order to build upon the work that’s already been done, younger people need to get involved in the outdoors and conservation efforts. To that end, it behooves all hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to engage their children, nieces, nephews and other young folks in outdoor activities, particularly hunting and fishing, and have the conservation conversation with each of them.

In addition, there are myriad benefits of encouraging youngsters and teenagers to spend more time outdoors and less time indoors in front of a computer or TV screen. Recent studies have revealed the positives ― even the necessity ― of spending time outdoors for kids and adults alike. Most studies agree that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors. Furthermore, exposure to nature offers the following to kids: it builds confidence; it promotes creativity and imagination; it teaches responsibility; it gets kids moving; it makes them think; and it reduces stress and fatigue. The time is ripe to start instilling a love of the outdoors and conservation in our next generation!

So, what exactly are our takeaways and next steps? First, have the conservation conversation as often as you can and with everyone that you can. Take the time to explain the need and the steps that hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and conservation organizations are currently taking to help conserve our natural habitats. Encourage others, especially teenagers and young adults, to get involved in the effort. Hands-on support and involvement from the next generation is critical and beneficial in both directions; teenagers and young adults benefit from spending more time outdoors and nature benefits from more people willing to put boots on the ground to maintain and grow healthy habitats that will flourish in the future.

In today’s connected world with social media at the helm of communication, it’s never been easier to advocate for policy and change to help ensure all species have a voice. The funny part about that? The advocation for game animals and the conservation of their habitats doesn’t come from typical “animal rights activists” ― it comes from the people who pursue them in the spring, summer and fall seasons. 

Do your part to help today: Have the conservation conversation. It’s as simple as that!