Golden-winged Warblers Unlimited: Want to join?

Have you ever heard of the conservation group Golden-winged Warblers Unlimited?

More on that in a moment.

First, I want to visit about the misunderstanding some of us have concerning the federal duck stamp. Many birders buy one every year. Others do not.

Officially, it's the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. Hunters must buy one if they hunt migratory waterfowl. The stamp has rightfully become associated with hunting.

There are birders who don't hunt, and birders who disapprove of hunting. For some, those are reasons not to buy the stamp. There are birders who believe the taxes they pay should cover all conservation needs. If only.

I don't hunt. I did when my father was alive, but no more. I do buy the stamp.

The official name of the stamp better explains what I consider to be its most important function: It is a conservation stamp.

Cost for the federal stamp is $25. Two percent of the $25 ($.50) is spent on stamp production; at least 40 percent of the $25 ($10) must be spent on conservation easements; the remaining 58 percent ($14.50) is divided among fee-title, easement, and associated acquisition expenses.

Hunter numbers are shrinking. If the funding provided by stamp sales is to continue, non-hunters must step up. When considering the stamp, conservation should be foremost.

Now, about that conservation group known as Golden-winged Warblers Unlimited.

It's modeled on the principles of the conservation groups Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Delta Waterfowl, among others.

Membership money is collected and spent to improve habitat for the warbler, just like the work done for ducks and geese.

Hunters know that if there are no ducks or pheasants, there is no hunting. Hunters understand supply and demand.

Golden-winged Warblers and their warbler relatives have the same supply and demand issue. Habitat conservation needs support in every way possible, like duck stamps.

Consider Golden-winged Warblers specifically, for instance. Forty percent of the world's population of that species nests in Minnesota; there are concerns for the continuation of the specific nesting habitat they need.

Hunters and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the latter recipient of duck stamp money, are habitat-oriented.

Birders can let hunters do the heavy lifting. It's better if we all buy a duck stamp. Buy a Minnesota collectible game stamp. These stamps are exceptional conservation tools.

We share the same values. We're all in this together.