Friends of The Montezuma Wetlands Complex

The Friends of The Montezuma Wetlands Complex (FOTMWC) is a group made up of people with a passion for wildlife (Join Now!) and has the following Goals and Objectives:

1. Support habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, and enhancement projects of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC).

   Objectives:

   • Support cooperation between private property owners and the MWC
   • Assist with land acquisition programs of the MWC
   • Work with the MWC to identify and address challenges (i.e. tax relief for local communities, funding, relating of information)
   • Support Agency wildlife management and habitat restoration decisions
   • Participate in wildlife management and habitat restoration activities

2. Serve as advocates for the MWC

   Objectives:

   • Regularly communicate concerns and needs of MWC to government officials, conservation organizations, and community members
   • Provide updates of MWC projects and methods to assist in these projects to members and interested parties
   • Communicate ways the MWC can help local communities

3. Promote public awareness of the MWC

   Objectives:

   • Develop MWC marketing tools
   • Promote MWC through the news media and community events and organizations

4. Engage in educational and research activities

   Objectives:

   • Create and staff displays
   • Present programs to community groups, colleges, schools, and local, county, state and federal agencies
   • Organize and conduct guided tours of the MWC area
   • Develop MWC educational resources
   • Write articles about the MWC for newspapers and magazines
   • Write quarterly newsletters
   • Support Research activities

   A major project currently getting under way is the establishment of the Crusoe Conservation Center.

The FOTMWC has organized the following committees to accomplish the above:

• Recreation

  which will assist in promoting and maintaining outdoor-related recreation in the MWC including wildlife observation, hunting, fishing, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and photography.

• Facilities and Grounds

  will assure the maintenance and improvement of the various structures and grounds within the MWC including the MNWR Visitor Center, Sub-headquarters Buildings, Parking areas, the Lodge (the store run by FOTMWC in the MNWR Visitor Center), trails, overlooks, canoe launches and landscaped areas for the benefit of wildlife, visitors, and staff.

• Education and Research

  which will provide educational services and promote research activities for the MWC.

• Marketing and Promotion

  to develop a membership, coordinate volunteers, develop fund raising strategies, and assist with public relations.