Group hopes to give push to conservation efforts
When nature has problems, some hunters, fishermen and trappers can be relied upon to be among the first to notice and among the most to care.
The formation of the Ohio Conservation Federation, which had its coming-out gathering earlier this year, was spurred by the fact that natural Ohio, beset by problems, needs advocates.
“We’re trying to bring together diverse voices,” said vice president Matt Misicka, hunter, fisherman, Hilliard resident, Ohio State administrator and one of the federation’s founders. “We felt we need an aggressive voice. We’re going to be working on this all the time.”
The issues demanding attention aren’t all that new: algal blooms on Lake Erie, invasive species, habitat loss, water degradation, funding of conservation legislation, protection of the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the dwindling of places to hunt, fish and trap.
Federation members hope that their approach to addressing and ameliorating such problems can prove effective. In sum, it’s about getting the right people to listen, be they bureaucrats or politicians.
To get meaningful hearings on various issues, “We’re going to work with statewide and regional organizations,” said Steven Gray, the federation’s policy director and a former chief of the wildlife division.
The federation has partnered with the Columbus-based U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance, a national organization that lobbies for hunting rights at the state and federal levels. Member organizations include the Buckeye Firearms Association, the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, the Ohio State Trappers Association, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the National Wildlife Federation.
Each affiliated organization, whether a grassroots state group such as the trappers group or a well-funded national entity such as Ducks Unlimited, brings “clout and expertise of influential individuals,” Misicka said.
Such individuals might afford access to Ohio’s Congressional members, administration officials and state legislators that might be denied to, say, a representative from a local sportsmen’s group.
Misicka offered as an example a recent meeting with state forester and Division of Forestry chief Bob Boyles, the newly appointed deputy director of divisions of wildlife, mineral resources management and forestry at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Meeting with Boyles was a federation team that included Misicka and Gray, as well as director Marc Smith, a senior policy manager with the National Wildlife Federation, and director Gildo Tori, who also is director of public policy for Ducks Unlimited.
The meeting was designed to “open a dialogue” about natural resource conservation in Ohio, to express views about the status and direction of the wildlife division, and to introduce the federation’s 2014 initiatives. The initiatives include:
Ramping up efforts to control harmful algal blooms and other pollutants in Ohio’s lakes, streams and wetlands that affect drinking water and harm fish and wildlife.
Working to implement throughout Ohio the habitat programs provided by federal laws such as the Clean Water Act, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the federal Farm Bill and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Supporting the Ohio Division of Wildlife by protecting the wildlife fund from “diversions and undue” charge-backs; ensuring the continuation of the county wildlife officer system as it is currently organized; and striving for professionally trained, conservationeducated administrators for Ohio’s natural resources.
Supporting the Ohio Wildlife Council system and protecting the council from political influence.
Encouraging the Division of Wildlife and related entities to increase land available to the public for hunting, trapping and fishing through purchase, easement or agreement.
Working to develop a sustainable funding source for conservation. Possibilities include a small addition to the sales tax or a modest tax on drilling, Gray said.
Supporting Division of Wildlife efforts involving threatened, endangered and non-game species that have led to the recovery of wildlife such as bald eagles, bobcats and river otters. Promoting prevention and control of invasive species.
Supporting a modest increase in license fees for non-resident hunters to help pay for land acquisition and habitat restoration.