Not Just Good Intentions

While the mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation remains the same as when the organization was founded in 1945, new challenges and threats to the state's wildlife and habitat require a rethinking of conservation strategies and priorities. It is critical that NCWF focuses on issues of immediate concern while staying plugged in to long-term vision and goals. It's quite a balancing act.

Recently, members of the board of directors and NCWF staff developed a five-year plan that will guide the organization's efforts through 2010. The plan is based in four distinct program areas - land stewardship, water resources, wildlife conservation, and resource-based recreation. Each of the programs involves a variety of supporting projects that define ways we will work to protect North Carolina's wildlife heritage. These programs, summarized in "The (New and Improved) North Carolina Wildlife Federation," define the current mission of the organization and explain how the continued support of our members is an integral part of the strategy to protect and conserve our wildlife species.

But a plan, no matter how important, is words on paper. It's the passion of the individual North Carolinians working on behalf of wildlife that has been the hallmark of NCWF's 60 years of history, and that heritage of hands-on involvement will continue. In addition to the new five-year plan, NCWF leaders have initiated several Resource Committees. These working committees will monitor issues that affect wildlife across the state and promote our issues of special interest, such as specific habitat types or wildlife species. With the clout and resources of the NCWF to assist them, these committees will have a direct impact on issues that are of the most concern to them.

These Resource Committees give you, as a NCWF member, a wide array of opportunities to work directly for the wildlife issues you care most about. Have you ever wondered how you could become more intimately involved with wildlife conservation? Here's your chance. The following Resource Committees and their chairpersons are seeking input and seeking volunteers.

· Wildlife Conservation Committee -Chair: Gene Vaughan (704) 875-5240, gevaugha@duke-energy.com
· Fisheries Committee- Chair: Buzz Bryson, buzz.bryson@pgnmail.com
· Land Use and Environmental Quality Committee- Chair: Lindsey Hobbs, lhobbs@CMRplanning.com