• Florida Sportsmen’s Conservation Association (F.S.C.A.) members enthusiastically answer the call for help when volunteer help is needed throughout the year to assist with various conservation efforts. Members have spent countless hours and have removed tons of trash from various public lands. Projects such as this only emphasize the need for more public awareness into a growing problem that faces South Florida.
• F.S.C.A. members lend a hand to members of our community in need. In June 1994, held a benefit barbecue for a single mother who had been seriously injured in an automobile accident. In July 1997 FSCA held a benefit for two-year-old Cody Freshwater, diagnosed with Acute Lymphocyte Leukemia.
• October 27, 1994 F.S.C.A. volunteers participated in “Operation Deer Feed” in Water Conservation Area III, taking native vegetation to starving deer stranded on islands during flood conditions. An important component of this project involved transporting elected officials and the news media into flooded areas to educate them as to the plight of the wildlife in the area. Additionally, uncovering the flaws in the water management system that contributed to the devastation.
• In January 1995, members helped convert an old horse stable into the Conservation Pavilion at the South Florida Fair.
• May 23, 1995 the F.S.C.A. was appointed to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Environmental Advisory Committee.
• In cooperation with the Everglades Coordinating Council (ECC) and the Florida Conservation Council, F.S.C.A. has helped organize and host events designed to educate our state legislators of environmental programs facing South Florida’s unique ecosystem, as well as the recreational opportunities and economic enhancements a healthy ecosystem can provide. These events have included three legislative tours of the Everglades, 1996 and 1997 Legislative Day family outings at the Everglades Youth Camp.
• Adopted a “White Tailed Deer” in June 1997 as a participant in the Dreher Park Zoo Adopt-an-Animal program.
• Assisted in the construction of a park in the City of West Palm Beach in the Water Catchment Area, allowing public access for wildlife viewing opportunities in an area that had been closed to the public since the early 1980s. F.S.C.A. volunteers returned to provide maintenance for the park trail system.
• When the Everglades Youth Camp at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area was threatened with closure due to the condemnation of the camps obsolete waste water discharge system, F.S.C.A. volunteers donated 1404 man hours of labor and heavy equipment to truck in 2,340 yards of fill material and construct a modern drain field and filtration marsh. This allowed the summer youth camp program to open on schedule and saved the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) $50,000.00 during a time of crucial budget shortfall.
• Volunteers installed a fence at the public campground on the Dupuis Reserve.
• Repaired 11 miles of vandalized fence on Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area (WMA), enabling continued public enjoyment of this area. F.S.C.A. established a peer pressure education program to urge ethical conduct on public lands.
• Developed and coordinated youth education programs in local schools and the Everglades Youth Camp.
• Participated in habitat enhancement prescribed burning program with FWC within the J.W. Corbett Management Area.
• On three separate occasions F.S.C.A. donated and installed culverts to improve hydrology under backcountry trails on public lands and to provide for continued public use during periods of flooding.
• Designed, built and installed Wood Duck Boxes at Dupuis Reserve, on Lake Okeechobee, John and Mariana Jones WEA, and the Kissimmee River in cooperation with SFWMD, FWC, and Delta Waterfowl. Programs such as these have enabled wood duck populations to rebound from near extinction throughout the nation.
• F.S.C.A. representatives have consulted with FWC and SFWMD to facilitate opening and establishing responsible regulation of new lands for recreational use. To date these lands include Nicodemus Slough, Fort Drum Swamp, Browns Farm, Kissimmee River Basin, Gardner Marsh, Frog Pond, West Jupiter Wetlands, Dinner Island, Spirit of the Wild WMA, John and Mariana Jones WEA, STA 5, and STA 1 West.
• Volunteers improved visitor safety and aesthetics on SFWMD lands by removing over 2450 fence posts and over 170,000 ft of barbed wire from Nicodemus Slough, Gardner Marsh and Kissimmee River.
• Re-roofed the storage building at the Everglades Youth Camp rifle range where young people as well as adults are trained in firearms safety.
• “Mangrove Marathon” on Jupiter Waterways Park, a project to replace harmful exotic trees with native mangroves which are essential in restoring inshore islands and marine nurseries along Florida’s east coast.
• F.S.C.A. volunteers frequently treat youth groups to fun-filled environmental education field trips via swamp buggies and airboats. These groups include Girl Scouts, 4H kids, summer youth camp attendees, Boy Scouts and Indian Princes.
• Worked in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to count and mark existing Red Cockated Woodpecker colonies.
• F.S.C.A. volunteers have frequently participated in annual exotic tree eradication programs on various management areas.
• F.S.C.A. volunteers had previously promoted conservation and environmental education in annual “Earth Fest” and “Earth Fest for Educators” events at the Palm Beach Mall.
• F.S.C.A. sponsored Bass Tournaments to promote catch-and-release fishing opportunities and to raise funds to further our conservation efforts.
• Developed and managed a “Dolphin Fishing Tournament” to promote fishing opportunities and to raise funds to further our conservation efforts.
• Volunteers provide swamp buggy rides in the Ft. Pierce Cattlemen’s parade and the Belle Glade Black Gold parade.
• In conjunction with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) F.S.C.A. volunteers participated in real Florida naturescaping in John D. MacArthur State Park.
• F.S.C.A. volunteers have participated in the annual Kids Fishing Day event sponsored by the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.
• F.S.C.A. volunteers had a clean up on STA 5, STA 1 West, J.W. Corbett WMA, and the Kissimmee River Public Use Area (PUA).
• In the Kissimmee River PUA we moved posted signs back for more public access and we built a 20x30 bad weather shelter along with making a campground area.
• We participated in the Vessel Sound Ordinance Testing in cooperation with FWC.
• Held our first annual alligator hunt kickoff party at Belle Glade Marina on Lake Okeechobee.
• Helped the FWC set rules for three new land acquisitions.
• Worked with SFWMD on the WRAC committee making sure all their lands have all the recreational opportunities possible.
• F.S.C.A. has an annual Outdoor Youth Day program specifically designed to educate our children to the many different recreational activities available on our natural areas. Events include pony rides, canoeing, wildlife show, fishing, airboat & buggy rides, archery, K-9 show and rifle range.
• Every year prior to the peak period in which native wildlife is expected to produce offspring, F.S.C.A. volunteers work with members of other conservation organizations to plant over 600 lb. of seed to enhance wildlife habitat.
• Each summer we sponsor underprivileged children to attend the Everglades Youth Camp.
• Each July F.S.C.A. celebrates Plant a Tree for Marjorie Day. By planting a tree in honor of a person who, like Marjory Stoneman Douglas, has dedicated his or her life to promoting conservation and environmental responsibly.
• F.S.C.A. participates in the FWC’s Adopt-a Boat Ramp program.
• In 1997 joined “Adopt a Highway” program, providing ongoing litter control over a 4-mile stretch of Northlake Blvd. In the Royal Palm Beach Acreage. Volunteer work details are scheduled to coincide with peak rush hour traffic in order to promote environmental responsibility through example.
• F.S.C.A. volunteers lend a hand in cleaning up local lakes and waterways during the FWC’s annual Project Eagle environmental cleanup.
• Help Santa collect toys for underprivileged children every Christmas by participating in the US Marines Toys for Tots program.

•  We held our 2^nd Annual Fathers Day Youth Hunting Program at Triple S Ranch, in Indiantown  which five youth attended with their guardians.  3 were successful. 
• We held our bi-annual Youth Camp clean up, in which 15 members attended to mow, weed eat, edge the walkways to make the camp well groomed for the campers and their parents when they come out for their first day of summer camp. 

· One of our members (Matt Albertz) was inducted in the Orange County Sheriffs Office Volunteer Airboat Team.  Local Airboat skippers standing ready to serve central Florida if a disaster should strike.

July 2007

· Independence Day Decibel Reading hang out on July 4^th at Lake Okeechobee was a planned a get-together where airboaters could pass by 100ft and 50ft marks on a plane with their airboat to see what their decibel reading was.  17 boats participated.  It was a very successful event.  We signed up 8 new members.

· 3 members attended the FWC hunter safety instructors statewide workshop which was held at the Ocala Youth Camp.

 August 2007

· We held our 4^th annual Alligator Harvest Kick Off Party in Belle Glade, Florida.  This event originated with the idea to quiet the protesters that chanted negative comments when alligator season permit holders went to leave the landing.  This event went from feeding 50 people to now over 200.  Everything from alligator dirty rice, gator fritters, gator nuggets, frog legs and Gumbo to dessert is served. Local processors donate raffle items and food for this event.  This will be an annual event that can only get better with all the fun that is had.

 · Club members provided dinner for over 50 people at the ECC Educational Alligator hunt.

  September 2007

· FSCA members assisted ECC by providing Airboats and lunch for a day outing with commissioners and consultants by giving rides from Holiday Park to show what access Holiday Park provides to the Everglades.  Lunch was served at FWC Commissioner  Bergeron’s camp in Conservation Area III.

October 2007

· The FSCA assisted the FAA in their first annual Airboat show in Wildwood Florida.

November 2007

· Our club members purchased a Youth Hunt Supply Trailer.  This trailer contains all the essential items that will be needed on Youth hunts.  We continue to invest in this trailer and encourage other clubs to join us in this adventure. 

· A few members attend the Big Gator Shoot Out held at Loughmans Landing.  This was a tremendously successful event for Central Florida Trophy Hunters.  They were very happy with the turn out.

·  A Youth Hunt was held in Arcadia where all 4 hunters were successful in harvesting their first deer.  Over 10 volunteers made this event possible. 

December 2007

· We held our Annual Christmas Party that had a surprise visit from Santa and he brought each child a present.  Over 60 members attended and had a fun gift exchange.

· A Youth Hunt was held in Yee Haw Junction with 6 hunters, with 5 being successful in harvesting their first deer.  Over 20 FSCA volunteers made this event possible. 

· Assisted the FAA in giving over 100 women who were attending the Becoming an Outdoor Women (BOW) event held at the Everglades Youth Camp in the JW Corbett Area.  This was a very successful event for all.  The women loved getting airboat rides. 

· Assisted the Airboat Community by honoring Bud Marquis by helping provide lunch for the over 300 people who attended.  Bud assisted many who were injured in Eastern Flight 401 on December 29,1972.  Many survivors, family of the deceased, and many friends came to celebrate his heroism. 

January 2008

· Members of the FSCA built a booth in the South Florida Fair “Conservation Tent”.  For 17 days members assisted in manning the booth and giving out flyers for our annual fund raiser held in February and had fellowship with other area clubs.

· Our 14th Annual JW Corbett Clean Up was extremely successful this year.  We filled 4-20yd dumpsters with trash.  Brought out 5 campers that unethical campers left behind for someone else to clean up. 

· We held 2 Youth Hunts in the same weekend.  This took many members of the club to come together to have successful hunts for all the young hunters.  One was held in Arcadia on the Limestone Ranch, which hosted 9 young hunters and 8 were successful.  The second was in Orlando on the Deseret Ranch and hosted 9 youngsters and 5 were successful in their hunt for the weekend.

February 2008

· FSCA Youth Day is our annual fund raiser.  This event has buggy rides, canoeing, pony rides, airboat demonstration and many airboat displayed, archery, gun range instruction, fishing and wildlife shows to reach kids of all ages and show them the benefits of being outdoors instead of in front of a TV.  This annual event had over 800 participants that came and over 100 volunteers that worked the whole day. 

· On February 3rd we held a memorial for one of our beloved members Jack (Jake) Bylsma III.  We lost Jack in a terrible accident in September 2007.  We miss him everyday.  This memorial was held at STA 5 because this was his favorite place to hunt.  Many other clubs attended and made this a special event. 

· Many members attended and manned the FSCA booth at the Palm Beach Airboat And Swamp Buggy Festival held at the Everglades Youth Camp.   This was an awesome event.  Airboat & buggy rides, James Otto for entertainment, food, vendors and area clubs were also in attendance.  One of our members donated his boat to give over 100’s of rides for the 2 day weekend.

March

· Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) Events include Archery, Muzzleloading, Shotgun, Small Bore Rifle, Firearms Safety Trail, Wildlife ID, and Orienteering Skills. FWC will send the top five individuals in the state to national competition.  The national competition is a cooperative project of the National Rifle Association and the International Hunter Education Association and is held at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM.

· Club members man a booth for 2 days at the Broward County Airboat and Halftrack Club Buggy Show.  This show is a huge success for all vendors and other area clubs that had raffle items to sell tickets for.

· Club members supplied a wild game dinner to Florida Atlantic University – Pine Jog Board members at Everglades Youth Camp