Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Burgess.
Hi Troy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for nature particularly; the wetlands and waterfowl started when I was five years old. My dad would pick me up for his weekend visits and we’d go hunting, fishing or camping. Stomping around out in the wetlands formed my deepest childhood memories. Fast forward 39 years, I was now at a comfortable point in my career and my daughter was quickly becoming an independent young adult. I knew it was time to start the next chapter in my life and start giving back. I reached out to several conservation groups with no response. I finally got in touch with a local delta waterfowl chapter. After about a year the folks in my chapter started making a lot of comments about how much money was leaving the state and how much good we could do with it here in Utah. Those conversations sparked the creation of the Wasatch Wigeons Association (WWA). All the knowledge and skills I’d acquired in my life finally connected with my passion for the benefit of the great outdoors in which I love.
While going through all the hurdles in creating WWA as a 501c3 non-profit organization. I insisted we document in our by-laws that the organization would be built and run on a team concept. The idea worked as you’ll hear us use, we and us, even when speaking as individuals.
Wasatch Wigeons Association, founded in 2015 is a 501c3 non-profit focused on wetland and waterfowl conservation in Utah. All the money we raise is used right here in Utah. We have placed, and maintained over 185 artificial waterfowl nest structures in six locations across three counties, for Canadian geese, Mallard ducks and Wood ducks.
Currently, we are in year two of a three-year research project on redhead duck nesting. This project is focused on practically of Redheads and other diver ducks using artificial nest structures. Last year’s results were promising as we witnessed a mating pair of redheads using one of our nest structures at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (WMA). This project is important as prior to the flood of 1983, Utah was home to the world’s largest breeding population of Redheads, now we have a few breeding pairs. Our long-term goal is to determine a method and strategy to increase the local population.
In 2017, we tried to get permission to do a couple of objectives. First, we wanted to take over fifteen to twenty acres of neglected wetlands and restore them. Second, we wanted to host a youth fair to get kids interested in outdoor related activities. The state didn’t just tell us no they used the term “we forbid it”. As you can imagine, this fired up our entire corporate board. It just blows our mind how much resistance there can be to people who just simply want to do good in the community. Eventually, we just shrugged the conflict off and look for other opportunities elsewhere.
A short time later I was following up on an opportunity to place a couple of nest boxes in Kingfisher wetlands along the Weber River in Weber County. During the conversation, Todd Ferrino, director over Weber County Parks and Recreation proposed the idea of us taking over stewardship of the wetlands. This fit one of our guiding principles “always look for the Win, Win” as it created an opportunity for us and give Weber County someone to manage this unique wetland at no cost to the county.
We ended up taking over stewardship of Kingfisher wetlands five years ago and are currently restoring this wetland. This opened several opportunities for WWA and pushed me to get licensed in herbicide applications for aquatics. Planting the seed for which WWA developed its invasive plant species mitigation program. The establishment of such a great working relationship with Weber County allowed us to overcome another barrier. Where and when to host our youth fair.
2022 will be our fourth year hosting our “Youth Outdoors Activity Fair” at Fort Buenaventura in Weber County scheduled for June 18th this year. The COVID pandemic prevented us from holding this event the last couple of years, but we’re back now and this year’s event is looking to be the biggest one yet.
Our largest and most demanding project to date is our Willard Spur phragmites and tamarisk mitigation project. The Willard Spur is a huge wetland located north of Willard Bay. This wetland encompasses state, federal and private lands. We are currently working a twenty seven acre section on land managed by Utah Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and two separate private lands. The project consists of approximately 6.5 miles of shoreline with 5.3 miles infested by the invasive plant species phragmites and tamarisk. This project requires us to mow (with gas power weed whackers) the acreage twice a year (April & June) and herbicide treatment in late August for four years. We are in year two of this project and have arranged to start some re-vegetation efforts. This project once completed will restore this section of Utah wetlands to its former beauty and productivity, benefiting millions of local and migratory birds and other wetland wildlife. It’s a demanding project, but that’s what we signed up to do. I work every Saturday and most afternoons after my day job during the week, to make sure we stay on schedule.
Next month May/2022 we start a new phragmites project on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I cannot wait to start this project as it symbolizes the results of a personal decision I made not to follow the majority and branch out on my own and break new ground. As an organization, we pride ourselves on taking on challenges that others seem to avoid. It’s one of the things that set us apart from our competition. As a couple of our guiding principles say “We do what we say we’re going to do” and “We finish what we start”.
I’ve learned in this journey how all non-profits support the community by providing folks with different avenues to volunteer. Volunteering is good for people in many ways, so we try our best to incorporate the human element and show great appreciation for those who volunteer with us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We’ve faced several challenges along the way. The most challenging is the inherent politics and hypocrisy within the conservation industry. We had several individuals and groups try and get our conservation projects either shut down or steal the opportunity for themselves. After setting a policy forbidding any of our folks (trusted volunteers) from discussing any future plans publicly we overcame this challenge. We still face a few haters that seem to come out of the woodwork whenever we publicly announce a new project but now we have all of our ducks in a row beforehand. This simple change has allowed the local community to see what we do and how we do it. The response has been nothing but incredible. As we have been funded 100% by the local community. Being a non-profit organization fully staffed by volunteers, coupled with an ever-changing job site is challenging itself. To help overcome the negative effects of this we developed and utilize standard work and continue to grow our volunteer recognition program. Currently, we face a capacity constraint. In 2021 for the first time, I had to turn down opportunities, a far cry from the early days. In order to meet the growing demand on our organization, we need either more volunteers or additional equipment to increase our capacity. This has pushed us into unfamiliar territory again, but like before, we’ll figure out how to turn this problem into an opportunity.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Chad Cranney from Utah DWR helped us out by mentoring/coaching me on invasive plant species mitigation and creating opportunities that support both WWA and Utah DWR missions. LT. Wyatt Buback Utah DWR conservation Officer helped us out tremendously by making connections and solving problems when he was the conservation officer assigned to our organization.
Mike Brewer: one of the original founders of WWA and my right-hand man in building the organization.
Alan Petersen: one of the remaining founders who have been there through all the ups and down and Trumpeter swan conservation program manager.
Josh Bott: One of the remaining founders who’s been through all the thick and thin with me as we are the only remaining original board members.
The WWA officers.
Vallaree McArthur: Fundraising program manager and Master of Ceremony.
Tate Carson: Davis county chapter chairmen, redhead research project lead and overall hardworking dedicated volunteer.
Richard Dimick: Vic-Chairman Davis chapter and Nest box program manager.
Derrick Nance: Youth program coordinator and overall hardworking dedicated volunteer.
Jesse Gardiner: One of our hardest working and dedicated go-to guys.
Brooke Gardiner: Volunteer Admin coordinator, painter and graphics designer.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who have volunteered, donated or sponsored WWA. It’s because of their efforts and dedication that WWA is able to make the positive impact we make today.
Pricing:
- $25.00 General Membership
- $50.00 Sponsor Membership
Contact Info:
- Email: troy@wasatchwigeons.org
- Website: https://www.wasatchwigeons.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasatchwigeonsassociation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WasatchWidgeons
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_lKvz8bEiDtILfINQsngA
Image Credits
Alan Petersen
WWA team
