The South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) announces that CEO David Wielicki is featured in a recent episode of The Sportsmen's Voice podcast, hosted by Fred Bird of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.
In the episode, "Building the Future of Conservation Through Youth Outdoor Education Programs," Wielicki discusses why the future of hunting, fishing, and conservation depends on cultivating the next generation of conservation-literate citizens through meaningful outdoor experiences.
The conversation examines how structured, hands-on programs can build lasting connections to wildlife, natural resources, and outdoor traditions. Drawing on SCWA's experience, Wielicki highlights the impact of initiatives such as SCWA's Camp Woodie, Camp Leopold, Outdoor Heritage Events, and the Outdoor Heritage Institute in introducing young people to conservation at formative stages of development.
Among the topics discussed in the episode are the importance of early youth engagement in hunting, fishing, and conservation; the significance of fourth grade as a key window for conservation education; the benefits of outdoor learning for mental health and cognitive development; and the opportunity to expand youth-focused conservation education nationwide through existing infrastructure.
"Just being in the classroom is not enough. We have to get kids outdoors," Wielicki said during the episode. "There is a statistic that fewer than 5 percent of fifth graders in our country have had an overnight camping experience in nature. We need to open their eyes to the incredible creation that is out there. Nature has the power to heal these kids, and I am very passionate about that."
Produced by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, The Sportsmen's Voice podcast covers issues related to conservation policy, hunting and fishing advocacy, wildlife management, public land access, and outdoor legislation. Wielicki's appearance reinforces SCWA's ongoing commitment to education-based conservation and the belief that long-term impact begins with connecting young people to the outdoors.
The episode is available on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sportsmens-voice-hunting-fishing-and/id1705085498?i=1000758873661.
To learn more about SCWA's conservation programs and how you can get involved, visit scwa.org.
About the South Carolina Waterfowl Association: The South Carolina Waterfowl Association exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina's wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation. Through its flagship programs, including Camp Woodie, Camp Leopold, and Outdoor Heritage Events, SCWA provides hands-on outdoor experiences that impact thousands of youth and adults each year while promoting conservation, education, and a lifelong appreciation for our outdoor heritage.