One area where accelerated leadership and action is required is federal funding for conservation. For many years, we have been pursuing various and different ways to obtain increased funding for conservation technical assistance at the district level. Because all of us are not in an action mode, and those of us that are, are not always on the same page. I m not sure we all realize this fact, but decision making in Washington and our state capitals is very different now than it was just a few years ago. The days of making a few phone calls to key members or paying an annual visit to the hill to accomplish our objectives are over.
Decision making today is the direct result of grassroots lobbying.
Those organizations with well informed and active legislative networks will fare well. Those that sit back and expect their national office to get everything done will fail. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. For years, we as local leaders have been bemoaning the fact that the President and the Congress aren t doing enough for private lands conservation. Well friends, let me let you in on a little secret.