To all BC Wildlife Federation clubs
As a member of the BC Wildlife Federation for 48 years and as a member of the past presidents club I am contacting all federation clubs to encourage them to send a delegate or delegates to represent them at the BC Wildlife Federation Annual Convention to be held this year , April 19th – 21st 2007 in Dawson Creek.
At no time during the life of this organization have we faced more issues that have or will affect your outdoor activities. Firearms, Fisheries both salt and fresh, First Nation land claims and the issues that will arise with them. Habitat loss through forestry, mining and power generation projects. Access to hunting or fishing opportunities or other outdoor activities.
The list goes on and I am sure that all of you could add something to it.
The BC Wildlife Federation is the only organization in BC that speaks for you on these issues and we need your voice. Not being represented at the convention means that you
Will lose the opportunity to have your clubs views heard by your fellow federation club members. Large or small your club is an important part of this federation and we need you as much as we believe that you need us to represent you both provincially and federally.
Having been a Club Executive, Regional President and Federation President I know from visiting clubs that the decision for clubs on whether to send a delegate or not is often governed by finances. The federation this year has given the clubs the opportunity to
raise part of the money needed by supporting the “BCWF Dream Adventure Lottery”
the information about which has just been received by your club. Raffling off Limited Edition wildlife prints (also available at great prices from the federation). Large or small club or community, the hardest decision on fund raising is the decision to do it and get the job done.
This letter was never intended to be just a promotion for federation lotteries or sales but rather to point out the need for our voice to be heard loud and clear coming from this years convention.
Another complaint that I expect to hear is that this year’s convention is way up there in the north with long distances to travel. That may be true but having attended so many conventions in the southern half of this province I have noticed that representation from the northern clubs has always been strong and the mileage is the same in both directions.
We need your support and attendance and if you want to protect your outdoor opportunities, you will find that you need us.
Yours in Conservation
Ed Mankelow. Past President