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A conservation organization that has been in existence for almost two generations is pretty much taken for granted as always being there and historically stereo typed as being part of the mix of the great many other such similar clubs.

I can’t tell you how many years I’ve been a member of Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County (WUDC). The only other club membership to rival it is perhaps UP Whitetails Association, Inc. I hold membership in at least eight such clubs, and do so as I support the work they do, mostly as volunteers, for the good of all the people of Michigan, especially locally here in the UP.

Having the privilege of emceeing annual banquets for these clubs and understanding their purpose, I see some of the numbers they generate. I also know what it takes to put together these events and how the outpouring of support comes back year after year with sponsorship from the business community and financial investment by the patrons.

WUDC, now in its’ third decade, came to be when a core group of conservationists dedicated themselves towards projects that would enhance the quality and mix of wildlife within Delta County. The process had seen success in other areas of the Peninsula, and the model on how to do it was in place so the group decided to take the plunge. Their focus would be specifically on projects. No political involvement would be tolerated and is purposefully excluded from their charter.

What is most unique about WUDC, is the longevity of those at the helm. Oh there are some younger faces in the mix but those who have remained committed to the cause have stayed in as a result of their passion, more than their pleasure.

The general public doesn’t follow the accomplishments of groups like WUDC and wouldn’t recognize some of the legends created from within the ranks if presented to them.

People like the late Gary “Bear” Gagnier, a career law enforcement officer who presented like his nickname, yet had a soft side promoting the shooting sports and the mentoring youth on the ethics and tradition of the great outdoors. He was one of the original board members.

Cliff D’Arcy, becoming a WUDC board member in 2005, passed away in January of 2010. He joined on after years of intense involvement with the Bay deNoc Great Lakes Sportsfishermen. His expertise on wildlife habitat projects was used to assure the outcome met the intended purpose.

My personal friend, the late Mike Albert, was the person who encouraged me to join WUDC. Albert had a spin on soliciting corporate sponsors that left a model others still use today in brining top quality prizes to the banquets. Mike loved hunting and the great outdoors and made it a mission to make life a “good time”.

Living legends like Bob Schmeling, a 35 year woodlands management professional who retired in 1982, has for the last 29 years been the driving force to assure money invested into projects on behalf of WUDC see completion. He is so thorough that his work earned him the honor of being named a “Hero of Conservation” by Field & Stream magazine.

These people, and the many others who continue their legacy, would certainly be pleased to know that on the evening of September 25, 2010, that the Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County annual banquet would hit a plateau no one ever really contemplated, decades ago, when founding the organization. It would be the day they‘d hit a million dollars in project fund raising.

I knew it was close as I took the stage with my colleague Terry Jardis. WUDC president Ed McCarthy, who has been in the post for all of these years, provided me with a ballpark figure and I knew then and there, this would be a night to remember. Even though we all knew, the committee workers went on with business as usual so the new list of projects, 23 in all for 2011, would have adequate financing.

WUDC, like most other business entities, has had to manage their money and accumulated a fund balance to cover revenue fluctuations. Doing so has enabled them to continue, this year investing more than $36,000, on projects exclusive to Delta County. Some of these are ongoing and/or completing multi-year commitment. WUDC has also partnered with other organizations in joint ventures which in some cases were used as matching revenue in grant applications.

The social side of WUDC is not only evident in the fellowship of the banquets, it is truly noticeable when the group not only sponsors, but mans events like Kid’s Fishing Day and Kids in the Woods (as part of the “Leave No Child Inside” campaign) held each year in the Hiawatha National Forest with the folks from the US Forest Service. They are also an integral part of National Hunting and Fishing Day with other organizations to balance all interests outdoors.

They have helped shape our youth in sponsorship of the Youth Conservation Corps and annual collegiate scholarships for students seeking a career in conservation related to wildlife or habitat.

It is all but a brief description of the intent and purpose of Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County. They’ll be certain to continue their original mission and do so without a lot of fanfare. I just thought it important to let all of you know how it gets done and to remind you that given the chance, to let them know again, job well done.