Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, in partnership with Okayest Hunter, is thrilled to announce a donation to Waukesha County Land Conservancy (WCLC), supporting their mission to “protect and care for environmentally significant land and water in Waukesha County for future generations”.
WCLC hosts an annual Christmas tree harvest program, whereby families are invited to harvest their own Christmas tree from a WCLC property that was formerly an operational Christmas tree farm. While the joys of Christmas trees may brighten the family rooms across Wisconsin, WCLC takes it one step further and uses this program to restore native Oak Savanna and prairie habitat to the property and conserving it in perpetuity. WCLC creates public recreation opportunities not just for bird watching or hiking, but also for hunters, anglers, and sportsmen & women across the full spectrum of outdoor recreation.
Wisconsin BHA has sponsored Christmas trees to be harvested from the property. These trees will be donated to the New Berlin Food Pantry, whereby they will be allocated to families in need.
Now what does all this mean? What do Christmas trees have to do with conservation?
By harvesting these Christmas trees, WCLC restores native vegetation, creating habitat to support local wildlife (such as the white-tailed deer, turkeys, and non-game wildlife), and opens the opportunity to participate in conservation through public hunting access (certain properties require permission through a lottery system, more info here). Hunters can not only fill their own freezers from WCLC properties, but can also donate venison to Wisconsin’s Deer Donation Program - helping feed families in need across the state.
Wisconsin BHA hopes that this year a few families in need will have the opportunity to break bread over a hearty & healthy meal of donated wild game… illuminated by a live Christmas tree from the WCLC property.
We are immensely proud to support WCLC conserving our wild places and providing hunting and recreation opportunities to the public. This holiday season we encourage hunters to get outside, enjoy our public lands, donate venison, and help our fellow Wisconsinites in need… and maybe even spread a bit of holiday cheer!
Happy holidays & season’s greetings from your fellow Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
About Wisconsin BHA Chapter