What will it take to ensure the next generation cares about conservation? For longtime conservation leader and outdoorsman Dick Corbett, part of the answer is simple: give young people the opportunity to get outside.
In a conversation with our Executive Director Nick Wiley, Dick reflects on a lifetime spent outdoors and the experiences that shaped his commitment to conservation. Their discussion explores two issues that are deeply connected to the future of wildlife conservation: introducing young people to nature and recognizing the important role hunters, anglers, and private landowners play in conserving wildlife and habitat.
Creating the next generation of conservationists
Dick’s connection to the outdoors began early. Growing up near Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York, he learned to hunt and fish with his father. Those experiences did more than introduce him to outdoor recreation. They taught him about wildlife, habitat, stewardship, and the responsibility that comes with enjoying natural resources.
It is an experience Dick believes more young people deserve to have.
Today, screens compete for children’s attention while access to natural spaces and outdoor mentors can be harder to find. That makes intentionally creating opportunities for young people to experience nature increasingly important.
One way Florida is addressing that challenge is through the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN). The statewide network connects young people with opportunities to learn outdoor skills and experience activities such as fishing, shooting sports, wildlife viewing, hiking, and conservation education.
Dick helped champion youth conservation centers during his time as Chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and has remained a strong supporter of efforts to get Florida’s kids outdoors.
The goal is bigger than teaching a child to fish, hunt, or shoot a bow. A first experience outdoors can become the beginning of a lifelong relationship with nature and, ultimately, a desire to protect it.
Conservation through responsible use and stewardship
Dick and Nick also discuss another part of conservation that can sometimes be overlooked: the relationship between wildlife conservation and the people who hunt, fish, and manage private lands.
Hunters and anglers have long played a significant role in funding wildlife conservation in the United States. Their participation also creates a personal connection to healthy wildlife populations and the habitats those species need to survive.
Private landowners are another critical piece of the conservation landscape, particularly in a state like Florida. Thoughtful management of working lands and other private properties can provide valuable habitat while helping maintain connected landscapes for wildlife.
For Dick, these ideas are interconnected. Hunting and fishing can introduce people to the responsibility of managing natural resources. Private landowners can provide and maintain habitat. Outdoor experiences can inspire young people to become conservationists themselves.
Together, they represent a conservation ethic that must be passed from one generation to the next.
A conversation shaped by decades of conservation leadership
Dick brings a unique perspective to these issues. He is a former Chairman of FWC and former Chair of our foundation’s Board. Throughout his life, he has advocated for wildlife conservation, responsible land stewardship, outdoor recreation, and opportunities for young people to experience nature.
Nick Wiley brings decades of conservation leadership of his own. Before becoming Executive Director of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Nick spent 30 years with FWC, beginning as a wildlife biologist and ultimately serving eight years as the agency’s Executive Director. He later served as Chief Operating Officer of Ducks Unlimited.
Their conversation is both a reflection on how conservation has evolved and a look at what will be required to carry it forward.
Watch the full conversation below to hear Dick and Nick discuss youth conservation education, FYCCN, hunting and fishing, private land stewardship, and the future of conservation in Florida.
