Staff Spotlight Series: R3

R3 (recruit, retain and reactivate) is a nationwide initiative to boost involvement in hunting and shooting sports. Earlier this month, NWTF R3 coordinators gathered in Alabama for the annual National R3 Symposium. They explored a variety of topics, including hunting and fishing participation trends, youth shooting sports, innovative R3 strategies, demographics of outdoor enthusiasts and the growing number of female participants.

Among the dedicated R3 coordinators are Jen Davis and Jesse Warner. These essential members of the NWTF team play a crucial role in implementing state-specific R3 initiatives within their respective regions.

Jen Davis, Hunting and Shooting R3 Coordinator for Michigan

Jen Davis, hunting and shooting R3 coordinator for Michigan, supports and coordinates efforts to engage, maintain and reengage people from all over the state in hunting and shooting sports.

“From young children raised in rural communities to adults from urban walks of life and everyone in between and all around, if they are interested in hunting or shooting, I try to find a way to facilitate that process all the way through,” Davis said. “I often partner with other organizations, businesses and the state agency to coordinate the most robust support network we can.”

Davis' path to conservation was unconventional. Initially pursuing a career in art education, her passion for the outdoors grew while homeschooling her daughter and learning to hunt. As time went on, outdoor activities became a central part of her life. Drawing on her experiences in volunteering and homeschooling, Davis transitioned to a career in outdoor education. At the NWTF, she found a role that allowed her to fulfill her personal commitment to conservation and the outdoors.

“Even though I grew up thinking of myself as an environmentalist, it wasn't until I started hunting that I got truly passionate about conservation,” Davis said. “There is something about spending so much time engaged with wildlife and the habitats they need that makes it abundantly clear how much work there is to be done. Humans have taken a little more than our fair share from the landscape in some ways and I see conservation and habitat restoration initiatives as our way of repairing what we can and finding a sustainable way forward. Because hunters and shooters fund this work, R3 feels like the tip of the spear, ensuring that we will have the resources needed as we engage in conservation work on the ground.”

Drawing from her personal challenges, Davis advises those interested in a career in the outdoors to evaluate their interest and commitment to this path first.

“Get real clarity on your personal mission within the space, and let that guide you,” Davis said. “If you stay true to your path, then the natural joy you derive from the work will continue to fuel you through the tough times.”

Looking ahead, Davis aspires to help create a world where connecting with nature is more common than not.

“I see a future for conservation where we do not have to spend so much energy explaining why the work is important, because it is the default understanding,” Davis said. “If we reconnect to the natural world in authentic ways and raise children who grow up connected, our work will be cut out for us. We can spend more time doing conservation work and less time convincing the general public that it is worthwhile and needs to be funded.”

Jesse Warner, Northeast R3 Coordinator

In his role, Jesse Warner, Northeast R3 coordinator, collaborates with volunteers, state chapters, NGO partners and state and federal agencies to achieve shared R3 goals. His position, newly created in the spring of 2024, focuses on advancing R3 goals from a regional perspective rather than a state-centric approach.

“Much of my time is spent conversing with our partners and finding ways to help everyone succeed in our mutual goals of providing spaces and opportunities for the next generation of conservationists to discover the outdoors we cherish,” Warner said.

Warner's journey into the outdoors began early in life, inspired by his father who ignited his passion for nature. Whether pursuing winter steelhead, spring turkeys, or ducks and whitetails in the fall, Warner was consistently immersed in the outdoors. Reflecting on his early experiences, he fondly remembers the times his father took him turkey hunting.

“I was fortunate to grow up in an outdoors family, where the calendar was marked with what hunting and fishing season opportunities were available,” Warner said. “Being born in 1990, I was able to see the “Golden Years” of New York’s turkey hunting, albeit without a shotgun in my hands as I wasn’t legally allowed to hunt until the fall of 2002. But I remember the days when a gobbler seemed to be behind every maple, and how quiet the spring woods became in the late ‘00s and early ‘10s. Seeing those declines in the bird I loved to listen to and watch and not knowing the “why” is what sparked my initial interest in conservation and in the end, spurred me to pursue a career in the outdoors.”

Warner's journey to a career in conservation began in high school and continued through college. Early in his career, finding a foothold in the outdoor space was challenging. His biggest hurdle was securing employment right after college. Warner recounts his stroke of luck in discovering a job opportunity with a state agency while participating in an annual goose banding event that welcomed volunteers.

“One conversation with the right person at the right time opened the door to a career that, while it has been shaky at times I wouldn’t change for the world,” Warner said.

Through his own experiences, Warner's advice to others aspiring to enter the outdoor and conservation space is straightforward:

“Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer,” Warner said. “Get involved somewhere. Whatever your passion may be, find an organization, a club etc., that aligns with who you want to be when you grow up, and spend time there with those people. Surround yourself with good people, and good things will inevitably happen. In the end, you will be amazed at how far a smile and a handshake will take you when paired with a little elbow grease and sweat.”

Looking towards the future, Warner envisions a future marked by increased collaboration and partnership nationwide.

“There are so many great people and organizations working towards what is ultimately a shared goal, so the logical step is to team up and work together towards that goal,” Warner said. “While we are seeing more and more of this across the board, there is still plenty of room for more collaboration and there is still work to do.”