Thank You, Michigan United Conservation Clubs

Planting trees with MUCC members, staff, and Governor Snyder in August, 2014 in the Upper Peninsula.

In December of 2012, I began working at Michigan United Conservation Clubs. It has been an amazing four-plus years of advocating for conservation causes in a variety of roles. What has made it special is the terrific staff I've worked with and the 50,000-plus dedicated conservationists who form its membership. On Monday I will begin a new job at the National Wildlife Federation, but first I want to say "Thank You," to everyone I've worked with during my time at MUCC. 

We've done a lot together, from building rabbitat and collecting signatures to passing bills to deter poaching and stopping bills attacking public land. You'll continue to do great things because you have a great team at MUCC continuing that work. I couldn't be prouder to have worked with them and with you. 

My new role doesn't take me far: I'll be coordinating communications for the Great Lakes Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation in Ann Arbor. From a professional perspective, I'll be working on many of the same issues that NWF and MUCC work on together, especially on the effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. On a personal level, this move will mean working closer to home - 1.7 miles rather than 70 - which, more than anything, means more time at home and being more engaged in the community I call home.

And yet, it was a very difficult decision. I couldn't have made it if I didn't have complete confidence in the MUCC team continuing the work of defending the rights to hunt, fish and trap in Michigan. And I do have that confidence. Also I'll continue to edit Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine for MUCC until the right long-term editor is selected. And I couldn't have given up that amazing opportunity if I wasn't going to a great organization with those same conservation values. 

Since 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has united sportsmen and non-sportsmen alike for the common cause of conserving our nation's wildlife and natural resources. And since 1938, Michigan United Conservation Clubs has been its affiliate in Michigan. Part of my role will be communicating about the work that NWF does in the Great Lakes, including its Great Lakes affiliates, like MUCC. 

I'm excited about this new opportunity, and I'm excited to get to work on it. More than anything, I thank everyone at Michigan United Conservation Clubs for the opportunity you gave me to represent you in conserving the natural resources of our state. 

Yours in Conservation, 
Drew YoungeDyke

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