Campaign pays tribute to America's Conservationists
Operation Wild Fare: A Tribute to America's Conservationists

Operation Wild Fare: A Tribute to America's Conservationists is a national program spearheaded by the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America. The program supports continued education and awareness to the important contributions of hunters, anglers, farmers, and others whose collective efforts provide the resources needed to managed, conserve and perpetuate our wildlife and natural resources.

"Wildlife-associated recreation not only sustains our spirit and connects us to each other and the natural world, but also provides significant financial support for wildlife conservation,: said H. Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In the 75-year history of the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs, excise taxes paid by hunters and anglers on firearms, ammunition, archery and angling equipment have generated a cumulative total of more than $10 billion for wildlife conservation efforts by state and territorial wildlife agencies for fish and wildlife management.

Another important component of Operation Wild Fare is the way it helps educate the public about the importance of wild fish and game harvests to Americans diets. Most people relate farmers and ranchers solely to agricultural commodities like cattle, dairy products, broilers, corn and soybeans; however, farmers and ranchers make a significant contribution to wild game harvest, too. Agricultural land provides habitat for 75 percent of the nation¹s wildlife.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency reports, as of January 2007, farmers enrolled 37 million acres of their land in the Conservation Reserve Program to protect the environment and provide habitat for wildlife. More than half of America¹s agricultural producers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife.

The Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America is a nonprofit organization that seeks to further education, research and networking opportunities in the field of outdoor journalism through the development of programs that meet the foundation¹s established goals. One new program to help spread the word about eating wild involves the sale of a great cookbook that provides delectable ways to prepare wild game and fish.

Wild Fare & Wise Words recognizes those who share a passion for the recreational enjoyment and care of our wildlife and natural resources. It includes more than 200 recipes from cooks who have a rich heritage of preparing wild fare. Inventive and delicious preparations celebrate the flavor and versatility of wild game including seafood and shellfish, freshwater fish, venison, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland game birds and small game.

Essays by award-winning writer Jim Casada and quotations from renowned outdoor writers help to make this a well-rounded experience to read as well as to cook from.

"It serves all those groups and individuals who devote their energies and talents to the protection and perpetuation of America's great outdoors legacy" said Casada. "Collectively, they serve as staunch guardians of the experiences that bind us to the good earth and all its incredible bounty."

Outdoor enthusiasts are always in the market for good recipes to turn their harvest into delicious dishes. To order a copy of the cookbook by mail, send a check made payable to OJEFA for $19.95 plus $4.95 shipping and handling to OJEFA, P.O. Box 2601, Lexington, SC 29071 or call toll-free 1-866-996-0911 to order by phone. Get free shipping on orders of two or more. Place orders early for holiday gift giving.