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Special Edition: President’s Message

Dear Trout Unlimited Mad River Chapter Members and Supporters,

I hope this message finds you well and filled with the spirit of conservation and community that defines our chapter. As we begin a new calendar year and near the end of our fiscal year, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on our collective achievements and express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have contributed to our cause.

Throughout the past year, our chapter has remained steadfast in our commitment to protecting and restoring the Mad River, our cherished local resource. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated membership, the leadership of our Officers and Board of Directors, and the collaborative efforts of our valued partners and stakeholders.

I am particularly proud of the significant strides we’ve made in various conservation initiatives, including habitat restoration, annual clean-up efforts, trail clearing, water quality monitoring, and the expansion of our Trout in the Classroom program. These achievements are a testament to the passion and commitment of our volunteers who tirelessly work to make a positive impact on our environment and community.  We will provide details in at the Annual Meeting on April 20th at 9:00 at the Van Dyke Club in Springfield, OH and in the June issue of the Mad River Drift Newsletter. Look for the March newsletter in your email in the next few days.

However, as we look to the future, there is still much more work to be done. We rely on the generosity and dedication of volunteers like you to continue our mission effectively. I urge anyone who is able and willing to step forward and volunteer for open positions within our chapter, including Vice President, Webmaster, Director of Women’s Outreach, Adopt-A-Bridge Coordinator, Youth Services Coordinator, and Social Media/Public Relations Coordinator. We are also looking for someone to mentor with Don Dean, our Trout in the Classroom Coordinator.

Additionally, I want to emphasize the importance of financial support in sustaining our efforts. Your contributions directly enable us to fund vital projects and expand our reach within the community. We will continue our regular fundraising at events like the International Fly Fishing Film Festival screening we had last fall at Nocterra Brewing, and will be hosting it again on October 4, 2024. We also are launching an Annual Giving Campaign with a goal to raise $20,000 in contributions.  I appeal to each of you to consider making a donation to support our cause. Many are surprised to learn we get only a small remittance of your membership fee from TU national and local fundraising is necessary for the work we get done. If you wish to make a contribution, PLEASE reply to this email, contact me directly at rkhurni52@gmail.com or contact our Treasurer, Mark Beckdahl at mbeckdahl@icloud.com.

Whether through volunteering your time, making a monetary contribution, or simply spreading the word about our chapter, every action you take brings us closer to our shared vision of a healthier and more vibrant ecosystem.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support and dedication to the Mad River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for generations to come.

Tight Lines Everybody!

Warm regards,

Rick Hurni, President

Mad River Chapter of Trout Unlimited