Jerry Ouellette, former Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, and Mike Holland, who held the same position in New Brunswick, reveal how they navigated government systems to achieve meaningful conservation victories.

Jerry's innovative classroom hatchery program stands as a testament to creative problem-solving—targeting schools along waterways to transform potential polluters into stream stewards. By involving students in raising and releasing rainbow trout, he created both environmental improvements and a generation of conservation-minded citizens. Today, tens of thousands of rainbow trout return to these streams annually, a testament to how small, strategic interventions can yield remarkable results.

Mike Holland approached his ministerial role with similar pragmatism. After founding the Canadian Wild Turkey Federation, he leveraged his position to establish New Brunswick's first-ever turkey hunt—defying bureaucrats who had repeatedly deemed it impossible. His department became the only financially self-sustaining branch of government by recognizing conservation's economic potential alongside its biological importance.

The conversation shifts to the Canadian Wild Turkey Federation's remarkable journey from "two guys in a half-ton truck" to a national organization with chapters across the country. What makes this story particularly fascinating is how chapters thrive even in provinces without turkey hunting seasons, demonstrating a commitment to conservation that transcends specific species or activities. Their youth "hoot and shoot" programs teach comprehensive outdoor education, producing conservationists who now work professionally in natural resources.

Whether through classroom hatcheries, turkey habitat restoration, or youth mentorship, both leaders demonstrate that effective conservation requires connecting people with nature in meaningful ways. Their shared experiences offer a masterclass in turning passion into policy and obstacles into opportunities.

Ready to join the conservation movement? Visit CWTF.ca to find your local chapter and become part of this growing community dedicated to preserving our natural heritage.