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 waterhole project took place in January of 1984 in the “Little Harcuvar 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 donated to/helped construct “Woosley Peak Dragon Tooth Waterhole” in Arizona.
MN-WI Chapter Participants: Craig Johnson, Wally Anderson, Brad Kadlec, Curtiss Judd & Neil McKenzie
Our MN-WI FNAWS Chapter sponsored ten youth for the first time to participate in a waterhole re-development project “Mojave Tank Waterhole” 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 “encourage” them to move out of the wild sheep area. The completed waterhole could hold 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.
Chaperones: Jack Cook, Neil & Joyce McKenzie, Larry & Kathy 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, Jeff Strong MN.
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA to its first waterhole in the “Little Harcuvar Mountains” in Arizona.
Grant in Aid – $5,200
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA to the “Jeff Sievers Memorial Waterhole” in Arizona.
Grant in Aid – $5,000
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA & helped construct “Woosley Peak Dragon Tooth Waterhole” in Arizona.
Participants: Craig Johnson, Wally Anderson, Brad Kadlec, Curtiss Judd & Neil McKenzie
Grant in Aid – $10,321
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA to the “Aqua Dulce Springs Waterhole” project in Arizona.
Grant in Aid – $5,482
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA to waterhole projects in Arizona and Nevada.
Grant in Aid: Arizona – $5,482 & GIA Nevada – $3,870
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA/Sponsored youth to participate in the “Montezuma Tank Waterhole” project in Arizona and contributed GIA to the “Poker Jim Ridge Waterhole” project in Oregon and water development in WA. State.
Grant in Aid/ Sponsorship: Arizona – $10,528, Oregon – $7,840, Washington State – $1,500
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA/Sponsored youth to “Mojave Tank Waterhole” project in Arizona and contributed GIA to Water Catchment project in Washington State and Valley Guzzler in Utah. Chaperones: Jack Cook, Neil & Joyce McKenzie, Larry & Kathy Strong, Harold McEuen and 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. and Jeff Strong MN.
GIA/Sponsorship: Arizona – $9,951, Washington State $3,000 & Utah
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA/Sponsored youth to the “Holts Hole Waterhole” project in Arizona.
Sponsorship: Arizona – $11,255
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA to the “Robert “Bob” Curtis Memorial Tinaja Waterhole” project in Arizona and “Arijana Rim Guzzler” project in Oregon.
GIA: Arizona – $9,064, Oregon – $3,200
MN-WI FNAWS contributed GIA/Sponsored youth to upcoming “Waterhole” project in Arizona.
GIA/Sponsorship: Arizona – $18,714
At the 1994 national convention in San Antonio, TX. Oscar Carlson bought AZ. Rawhide Mountain Waterhole Project at auction. The project was later named “Oscar Carlson Waterhole”. Participants & Youth: N. McKenzie, J. Cook, E. Paulson, W.& E.Johnson, K.& L.Strong, W. Anderson, O. & V. Carlson, Jason, Darren & Kari, B. & N. Carlson, J. Carlson, S. Carlson, A. Carlson, M. Mallinger, A. Mommsen, T. Vogel, M. Skow, H. Wiesenbeck, K. Knott, L. Ladeoff, R. Tanghe, J. Radke, J. Nelson & A. Van De Wiele
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA/Sponsored youth to “Goldfield Mountain Water Catchment #2” project, Hells Canyon and Nevada Muddy Mountains “Emergency Water Hauls”. Chaperones: Kathy Strong, Neil McKenzie, Wendle Johnson; Youth: Justin Bohn, Ben Craemer, Jacob Hegman, Teresa Johnson, Troy Lynch, Justin Miller, Karen Sabinske, Ron Steffen, Jeremy Tharaldson, James Vold and Brian Zwach
GIA/ Sponsorship: Arizona – $4,929, Hells Canyon – $2,035, Nevada – $5,000
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter sponsored youth “The Carlson Waterhole” project in Arizona. Participants & Youth: R. Anderson, W. & E. Johnson, E. Paulson, M. Mallinger, M. Mireau, O. & V. Carlson, K. Carlson, D. Carlson, N. & J. McKenzie, M. & M. Knott, S. Marson, C. Nyquist, S. Hanson, J. Anderson, J. Jacobson, L. Ostgaard, D. Sciacca, T. Davidsavor, J. Vinopal, J. Currier and L. O’Brien.
GIA/Sponsorship: $5,091
MN-WI FNAWS Chapter contributed GIA to the “East Chocolate Water Enhancement” project in CA.
GIA: California – $15,600
Midwest Chapter WSF sponsored youth for “Pick Point Waterhole” project in Arizona. Chaperones: Joe Lynch, Kathy & Larry Strong, Val & Oscar Carlson; Youth: Ryan Miller, Taylor Hall, Dustin Kadlec, Taylor Pese, Rhiann Miles, Josiah Proechel, Austin Lynch, McCall Lynch, Coledon Elmers, Anna Cook, Nathaniel Anderson, Taylor Bickman and Alexia Carlson.
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution to central Idaho’s “Lost River Range” guzzler.
Midwest Chapter GIA: $6,000.00
Midwest Chapter WSF sponsored youth for “Silver Creek” Waterhole Project in Arizona. Chaperones: Kathy Strong, Joe Lynch, Billy Morrow, Val and Oscar Carlson. Youth Participants: Chase Friendt, Brody Miller, Teejay Atwood, Samual Simunek, Tyler Morrow, Laura Stowater, Alexandra Schott, Catherine Krance, Riley Danielson, Dakota Danielson and Bailey Wallin.
Midwest Chapter GIA/Sponsorship: $9,672.47
Midwest Chapter WSF sponsored youth for “Hackberry Canyon ” Waterhole Project in Arizona. Chaperones: Joe Lynch, Morgan Lynch, Kathy Strong and Oscar Carlson. Youth Participants: Summer Schwintek, Matthew Strupp, Carolyn Voss, Chloe Foster, Lauren Kremer, Sam Hlavachek, Bailey Engelstad, McKenzie Kohel, Lexi Kringle, Anna Will, Nathan Kallsen, Gavin Grifford, Josie Rehbein, Ryan Mead and Saige Anderson.
Midwest Chapter/GIA Sponsorship: $9,374.23
Midwest Chapter WSF sponsored youth for Waterhole Project in Arizona.
Midwest Chapter GIA/Sponsorhip: $12,008.40
Midwest Chapter WSF volunteers contribute to habitat and Water Tank Improvements.
Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution for water pump(s) to supply Arizona waterholes.
Midwest Chapter GIA: SD CSP – $2,500.00, ADBSS – $5,826.00
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution for “East Harcuvar Mtn” Transplant & H2O Guzzlers.
Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution for Arizona waterhole project.
Midwest Chapter GIA: East Harcuvar Mtn – $25,000.00 & ADBSS – $1,500.00
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution to SDGF&P’s Big Game Water Resources.
Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution for Arizona waterhole project.
Midwest Chapter GIA: SD GF&P’s – $29,000 & ADBSS – $1,500.00
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution to 35 remote H2O guzzler monitors.
New Mexico Socorro Guzzlers
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution to NM Socorro H2O Development and Guzzlers.
Mexico Sierra El Alamo H2O Development/Distribution Systems
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution to MX SEA H2O Development/Distribution Systems.
Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society Waterhole Project
Midwest Chapter GIA/Sponsorship: NV-$10,000.00, NM-$10,000, MX-$10,000, ADBSS-$10,000
Midwest Chapter WSF GIA contribution to NM Socorro H2O Development and Guzzlers.
Midwest Chapter GIA: NM – $10,000.00
Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society Waterhole Project
Please View Waterhole Project Application Link at Top of this Page