MN Chapter FNAWS (1979-82)
MN-WI Chapter FNAWS (1983 – 2008)
Midwest Chapter WSF (2008 – present)
Throughout western North America, landscapes of suitable wildlife habitat exist, but are vacant of Bighorn Sheep and other species of wildlife due to the lack of water resources. For decades, western State Game and Fish Departments, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, along with many conservation NGO’s such as; Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn (Nevada) have taken the lead to construct water containment sights for wildlife and in particular, Desert Bighorn Sheep in the arid mountain landscapes of the Southwest.
Given the remoteness and extreme terrain that the Bighorn Sheep prefer to inhabit, often helicopter usage for shuttling equipment, supplies, workers and volunteers is the only means. An average waterhole project can run as high as $35,000. That doesn’t take into consideration the hundreds of volunteer hours that are typically donated to these waterhole projects.
Our Midwest Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation (formerly MN Chapter FNAWS & MN-WI Chapter FNAWS) initially formed in the late 1970’s and formally in the early 1980’s. Early on, the board of directors and membership understood the critical need for water resources for Bighorn Sheep in the west. They understood that they could contribute in two ways, financially and with a helping hand. Initially, financial contributions were given and within a couple years board of directors and members were volunteering their time to help with the construction of these waterhole projects. The process and involvements went so well that the next logical step was to include youth in these waterhole projects that were available and welcomed to participate in. A wonderful opportunity to introduce and inspire Midwest youth to the outdoors and more importantly, contribute to the welfare of wildlife and especially Desert Bighorn Sheep. A great learning experience and it truly fit our organization’s mission of getting youth involved in conservation.
Our Minnesota-Wisconsin Chapter of FNAWS donated to its first Desert Bighorn Sheep waterhole project. That particular waterhole project took place in January of 1984 in the Little Harquala Mountains of Arizona. Members were encouraged to travel to the waterhole site and participate in the construction process. For years, the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, along with Arizona Game and Fish department had been constructing Desert Bighorn Sheep and wildlife waterholes and they welcomed and appreciated any help they could get! That welcome and appreciation still stands today.
Our MN-WI FNAWS Chapter sponsored ten youth for the first time to participate in a waterhole re-development project “Mojave Tank” in Arizona. The chapter provided all transportation, lodging, meals and chaperones. When the MN-WI Chapter group arrived at the waterhole sight with ADBSS participants, they found the original waterhole dried up and five dead rams at the sight. The group raised a small existing dam height by 4’, erected a shade and built two pipe rail fences to keep wild burros out and also “encourage” them to move out of the wild sheep area. The completed waterhole was capable of holding 24,000 gallons of water and was expected to hold water for up to two years with the new shade.
The project went well and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society welcomed the Midwest Chapter to sponsor youth to help construct future waterhole projects in Arizona. The chapter gladly agreed to sponsor youth to attend and participate in future waterhole projects. The youth would apply and be chosen through an essay application process and be enrolled in 8th – 12th grade.
Chaperones; Jack Cook, Neil & Joyce McKenzie, Larry, Kathy & Jeff Strong, Harold McEuen, Greg Johnson, Youth; Jason Eng, Jeff Reed, Travis Sylte, John Chartraw, from the Rice Lake, WI area; Luke and Burl Johnson from Danbury, WI., Chad Cool and Tony Brion from Mondovi, WI. and Travis Freiermuth from Wabasha, MN.
