A New Year’s Resolution
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It’s that time of year when we all take time to reflect on our lives. We take inventory of where we stand and try to find something that we can change in the new year to improve our lives or the lives of others. And if you are still looking for one, we have a great New Year’s resolution for fishermen: Take a
kid fishing! Here, we make the case for why this is so critically important for the future of the outdoors.
The Importance of Conservation
Why is conservation so important to us? What a dumb question, right? The answers seem obvious: clean natural resources, maintaining healthy wildlife populations, keeping plenty of public land available for the outdoors person. But lying just under the surface of all of this is the foundation, the basis, of our strong desire for conservation – the unmatched life experiences that the outdoors provide for us and our families.
We have all had those moments in the outdoors, striking impressions from nature that come in the moments when we least expect them. These impressions usually come to us when our minds and bodies are at ease, and we are immersed in the distinct senses of nature along with the people in our lives that make us the happiest. It is a high that is almost indescribable to those who have never experienced it.
It might be a foggy morning on Lake Michigan, which could be mistaken for an endless plate of glass, waiting for the first salmon reel to sing. It might be that crisp, sunny October morning in the poplars with only the sound of dew dripping from the tress, searching for the first grouse flush of the day. Maybe it’s the anticipation we feel sitting inside an old, musty-smelling deer blind as light breaks on opening day.
Regardless of how or when they hit us, these experiences change our lives forever. We begin to spend endless hours looking for the next one or trying to re-live one prior. The experience can be so intense, that they drive many of us on a life-long quest to recreate these moments for our children and our grandchildren. This is known as legacy and to ensure that it is here for subsequent generations, we must have conservation.
The Modern Threat to Conservation
In the early parts of the 20th century, threats to conservation were becoming obvious. The effects of over hunting and fishing and unregulated pollution from the industrial revolution were glaring. By the time I was a child, growing up in the 1980’s, many laws had already been enacted to protect wildlife populations and clean up the environment. These newer laws would take time to work, however. Even then, I can still remember the distinct smell of the Detroit River throughout most of my childhood years. You always knew when you were within a mile or so of the river because of that odor. In addition, a lure dropped into the water was only visible for a foot or so below the surface. This was a clear indication of just how much was being dumped into the river at that time. Today, that smell is long gone and the water clarity has improved significantly. These are both the signs of an improved ecosystem and a conservation success story.
However, these threats are being replaced by another threat to conservation that is equally concerning – a lack of participation and support. In 2022, the forms of enjoyment that children seek are very different from what they were 40 years ago. Far fewer young people are venturing into the outdoors. Cell phones, video games, and TikTok are threatening future support for conservation and the outdoors. Children are not as exposed to the joys of nature as they once were. This makes them much less likely to get involved with the outdoors as adults. Now more than ever, it is important to expose young people to these experiences.
What Can We Do?
So, what can we do to help ensure the future of conservation? Obviously, financial support is always needed and welcome. But there is another, even more important way of providing support to conservation that is free: Introducing a young person to the outdoors.
It seems cliché, but simply getting a kid out there is the most important step. If you feel like you are not a good enough fisherman or hunter to take a kid along, you are missing the point! The value is in the experience. Success is just icing on the cake. While it helps if the fish are biting or the deer are moving, the experience itself is eye-opening for those who haven’t been out there before.
On more than one occasion, I have introduced kids to fishing only to come back empty-handed and feeling like I had completely failed them. After all, I know how disappointing it feels to come home with an empty live well after a long day on the water. But to my surprise, not only did they have a great time, but in every case, they couldn’t wait to go again! And this brings
us full-circle back to one of the very reasons for conservation – the unmatched life experiences.
A New Year’s Resolution
To help ensure that our outdoors legacy continues, I have a New Year’s resolution for you. While you are sitting in your easy chair with a glass of eggnog this holiday season, planning your favorite outdoor activity in 2023, include a young person in those plans. It can be anything from bluegill fishing to trolling for salmon, from shooting trap to hunting deer. The enjoyment is inherent in the activity. There is nothing better your can do to help ensure the legacy of the outdoors for future generations.
By introducing a kid to the outdoors, you really are lending support to conservation by growing the support base. In addition, you will make some of the best memories for your kids and their friends. What else can provide so much impact to your cause by simply doing what you love with others?