Michigan Wildlife Council

CASE STUDY     CAMPAIGN      BENEFITS     LEGISLATION     MEETINGS     COUNCIL MEMBERS 
The Michigan Wildlife Council exists to preserve Michigan’s rich hunting and fishing heritage while advancing conservation and wildlife management.

The overall mission for the Michigan Wildlife Council, set in statute: MCL 324.43532B (18), is to:

“Develop and implement, in conjunction with a third-party marketing or advertising agency, a comprehensive media-based public information program to promote the essential role that sportsmen and sportswomen play in furthering wildlife conservation and to educate the general public about hunting, fishing, and the taking of game. That education shall include, but is not limited to, teaching that hunting, fishing, and the taking of game are any of the following:

1) Necessary for the conservation, preservation, and management of this state’s natural resources.
2) A valued and integral part of the cultural heritage of this state and should forever be preserved.
3) An important part of this state’s economy.”

The media-based public information program is funded in total through a $1 surcharge on hunting and fishing licenses sold in the State of Michigan. The Michigan Wildlife Council received over 1.5 million dollars from sportsmen in 2017. 

Marketing Campaign

Visit the Michigan Wildlife Council’s campaign at:
www.hereformioutdoors.org

Why and How?

The Colorado Wildlife Council’s mission is to educate the general public about the benefits of wildlife, wildlife management, and wildlife-related recreational opportunities in Colorado, specifically hunting and fishing. The council is funded through a surcharge on hunting and fishing licenses, and managed by a citizen advisory board.

Benefits for All

These are some of the many benefits to the public funded and provided by sportsmen:

Hunting and Fishing Keep Wildlife Healthy

Licensing fees finance the management and protection of wildlife and their habitats. But that’s not the only way that hunting and fishing are helping our wildlife:

  • Collected revenues provide for the protection and reintroduction of native species such as our elk and wild turkey.
  • Hunting keeps herd numbers at a level the habitat can support – keeping our wildlife resources healthy and sustainable.
  • Hunting is necessary for maintaining healthy and diverse populations of wildlife.
  • License fees help finance the identification and protection of species that are deemed “of special concern, threatened or endangered.

Hunting and Fishing Make Michigan Beautiful

Here are some other ways that hunting and fishing help our public lands:

  • Wildlife management keeps a balance that benefits public, private, and wildlife interests.
  • Revenues go to conserving Michigan’s beautiful forests and lands and enhancing habitat for wildlife.
  • Revenues go to preserving the quality and quantity of water in our lakes, rivers, and streams.
  • Revenues from fishing are used to stock lakes and streams, and monitor the health and sustainability of the diverse fisheries in Michigan’s rivers, lakes, and streams.

Hunting and Fishing is Big Business

Hunting and fishing generates billions of dollars a year for Michigan’s economy (4.7 billion). Here are some other ways hunting and fishing help Michigan:

  • Wildlife management strives for a balance that benefits public, private and wildlife interests.
  • Tens of thousands of jobs in both rural and urban communities are sustained and supported (72,000+).
  • License revenues go to conserving the wildlife and natural beauty found throughout Michigan.
  • Creating a heritage that instills within individuals a personal connection to Michigan.

Legislation

The Michigan Wildlife Council (MWC) is a nine-member public body whose members are appointed by the governor and subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

The Michigan Wildlife Council shall develop and implement, in conjunction with a third-party marketing or advertising agency, a comprehensive, media-based public information program to promote the essential role that sportsmen and sportswomen play in furthering wildlife conservation and to provide information about hunting, fishing and the taking of game. That education shall include, but not be limited to, teaching that hunting, fishing, and the taking of game are any of the following:

  1. Necessary for the conservation, preservation and management of this state’s natural resources.
  2. A valued and integral part of the cultural heritage of this state and should forever be preserved.
  3. An important part of this state’s economy.

 

Model Legislation

Public Act 246 of 2013

Model Legislation

Michigan Wildlife Council Public Education Subaccount

Schedules, Minutes, Reports

Meetings:

2020 Meeting Schedule

2019 Meeting Schedule
2018 Meeting Schedule
2017 Meeting Schedule
2016 Meeting Schedule
2015 Meeting Schedule
2014 Meeting Schedule

Agendas:

2020
January 27, 2020

2019
December 9, 2019
August 20, 2019
May 21, 2019
March 7, 2019

2018
November 5, 2018
September 6, 2018
April 26, 2018
February 6, 2018

2017
October 24, 2017
August 28, 2017
April 18, 2017
January 31, 2017

2016
October 18, 2016
October 17, 2016
August 3, 2016
July 19, 2016
April 25, 2016
March 14, 2016
January 11, 2016

2015
September 29, 2015
August 27, 2015
June 10, 2015
March 9, 2015

2014
December 3, 2014
November 7, 2014
October 8, 2014
August 6-7, 2014

Minutes:

2020
January 27, 2020

2019
December 9, 2019
August 20, 2019
May 21, 2019
March 7, 2019

2018
November 5, 2018
September 6, 2018
April 26, 2018
February 6, 2018

2017
October 24, 2017
August 28, 2017
April 18, 2017
January 31, 2017

2016
October 18, 2016
October 17, 2016
August 3, 2016
July 19, 2016
April 25, 2016
March 14, 2016
January 11, 2016

2015
September 29, 2015
August 27, 2015
June 10, 2015
March 9, 2015

2014
December 3, 2014
November 7, 2014
October 8, 2014
August 6-7, 2014

U
All Council meetings are open to the public and conform to provisions of the Open Meetings Act. Schedules, Agendas, and Minutes can be found here.

Guidelines for the Public Seeking to Address the Council 

Operational Plans & Budgets:

2019 Operational Plan & Budget

2018 Operational Plan & Budget
2017 Operational Plan & Budget
2016 Operational Plan & Budget
2015 Operational Plan & Budget

Reports to the Legislature:

April 30, 2019

November 5, 2018
May 18, 2018
October 24, 2017
April 18, 2017
October 18, 2016
April 25, 2016
September 29, 2015
May 13, 2015

Council Members

The Michigan Wildlife Council (MWC) is a nine-member public body whose members are appointed by the governor
and subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Matt Pedigo

Matt Pedigo

Chairman, Term expires March 2021

Matt Pedigo of Howell is an engineer for Federal-Mogul, where he has worked for over 13 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kettering University in Flint. For the Michigan Wildlife Council, he serves as a voice for individuals who have purchased hunting or fishing licenses in the state at least once during each of the past three years.
Jeffery Poet

Jeffery Poet

Vice Chair, Term expires March 2021

Jeffery Poet has literally made the outdoors his business. Poet is president of Jay’s Sporting Goods Inc. in Clare, where he has participated in the growth of the company since its inception. Poet, who earned his associate degree in business management from Northwood University, represents on the Wildlife Council businesses that are substantially impacted by hunting and fishing.
Kristin Phillips

Kristin Phillips

DNR Marketing & Outreach

Kristin Phillips has over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications. She has been Chief of the DNR Marketing & Outreach Division since October 2013. She joined the DNR in 2009 to assist and enhance the department’s communication and marketing efforts. She is also part of the Pure Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan implementation team and the Michigan Wildlife Council. Prior to joining the DNR, Kristin worked in the department of History, Arts & Libraries, marketing and managing the business aspects of Michigan History magazine. She also helped to launch and deliver Michigan History for Kids magazine to every school in Michigan. Before that, she was communications manager at Dart Container Corporation. Kristin is a wife and mom to five children and also provides volunteer marketing and event planning in her community. She performs natural resources education programs for 1st – 4th graders in her children’s schools.
Beth Gruden

Beth Gruden

Term expires March 2022

Gruden is the owner of Blue Wing Consulting where she works with producers to comply with permits and develop comprehensive nutrient management plans. She holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University. Gruden will represent agriculture producers in this state and fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Merisa Campbell.
Henry Stancato

Henry Stancato

Term expires March 2021

Henry Stancato is a member of Stancato Tragge Wells PLLC in Detroit, where he has practiced law for more than 35 years. Stancato, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and a law degree from Wayne State University, has served as a member of Youthville Detroit and New Center Community Mental Health Services. On the Michigan Wildlife Council, he is a representative of regular purchasers of Michigan hunting or fishing licenses.
Carol Rose

Carol Rose

Term expires March 2022

Carol Rose is vice president of Jeffress-Dyer Inc.–Real Estate Appraisal and Consulting, specializing in commercial land and large forestry and recreational use lands in Northern Michigan. She lives in the Northeast Michigan town of Hillman, where she has access to world-class trout streams, inland lakes, forest and trails. Rose – the first person to serve as chair of the Michigan Wildlife Council – represents individuals with a media or marketing background who are not employees of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the MWC.
Edgar Roy

Edgar Roy

Term expires March 2020

Roy is an attorney with Kuhn, Rogers, PLC. Previously he practiced with Brandt, Fisher, Alward and Roy, PC. Roy holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Law School. He will represent individuals who have purchased hunting or fishing licenses in Michigan at least once during each of the past three years.
Jim Hammill

Jim Hammill

Term expires March 2020

Jim Hammill doesn’t just love the natural environment, he also enjoys learning about it. Hammill earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Adrian College and studied wildlife management at Michigan State University. The Crystal Falls resident runs a land consulting and management business in the Upper Peninsula and is a certified plan writer for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also holds a real estate license and has sold recreational land for more than a dozen years.
Nick Buggia

Nick Buggia

Term expires March 2022

Nick Buggia works as the Upper Midwestern States manager for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). As part of CSF’s States Program Team, Nick works closely with state legislators and governors across the Midwest to promote scientific-based conservation policy. He has experience working in Michigan’s executive branch and in the Michigan Senate, where he spent the majority of his time focusing on natural resources policy. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University. A native of Mayville, Michigan, Nick is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting on the family farm and takes every opportunity to go fishing on Saginaw Bay. On the council, he represents rural areas of the state whose economies are substantially impacted by hunting and fishing. 

FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS

Randy Stec

Randy Stec

Served 2014 - 2018

Randy Stec grew up in a rural area of Michigan where he had easy access to the Great Lakes. Now, as a member of the Michigan Wildlife Council, he represents rural parts of the state where economies are substantially impacted by outdoor activities. The Caro resident, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University, is executive vice president of GreenStone Farm Credit Services, where he oversees the financial institution’s sales and marketing functions.
Merisa Campbell

Merisa Campbell

Served 2014 - 2017

Merisa Campbell, represented Michigan’s agricultural producers on the Michigan Wildlife Council, manages 2,000 acres near Johannesburg, where she grows hay, runs a trucking firm and oversees a small cow-calf operation. Campbell, a Saginaw Valley State University graduate, has served on the Michigan Farm Bureau board of directors and also as chair of the State Promotion and Education Committee.
Alan Taylor

Alan Taylor

Served 2014 - 2016

Alan Taylor, of Rockford, is president and co-owner of Hart Enterprises Inc.. He is the founder and chairman of the Nimrod Society, working to educate the public on the important role hunters and anglers play in society. Taylor attended the seminary at North Park College. He represented individuals who have purchased hunting or fishing licenses in this state on a regular basis, at least once during each of the last three years.