humboldt state student chapter

The co-founders of the Humboldt State CWA Chapter, Sporty Pair and Lauren Wendt, were looking for a hands-on club where they could do more than just talk about wildlife conservation and habitat restoration; they wanted a club where they could actually do it. Last spring they decided to form their own club with these goals in mind, and CWA’s record of habitat restoration and pro-active conservation inspired them to form our first college chapter affiliation.

In its busy first year the club offered its members a chance to have some unique experiences, including biological field work, habitat restoration, and environmental education. In 2006-2007 the club installed wood duck boxes, banded mallards, took avian influenza samples, planted trees, cleaned duck blinds and helped run a CWA youth camp.

Not only did the club members get a chance to work directly on important projects, they also got a chance to work with top agencies in the wildlife conservation field. The Humboldt State CWA chapter has already partnered with The California Department of Fish and Game, The US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Humboldt National Wildlife Refuge, and The Jacoby Creek Land Trust. They rounded out their work by volunteering for professors in the wildlife department, including wildlife chair Jeff Black.

This summer, with both its co-founders graduating, the club isn’t slowing down. There are plans to band wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese, and to work with the geography department to create a map of the Humboldt National Wildlife Refuge.

While the club spends a lot of time giving back to the outdoors, they also take time to enjoy themselves. They hold regular social gatherings, including barbeques, bonfires, camping trips, and clay shoots.

To find out more about the club, or if you’re a Humboldt State student wanting to join, email cwa_hsu@hotmail.com.

To start a chapter of CWA at your college or university contact us at cwaeducation@calwaterfowl.org.