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Dallas — During an event at the Apple Tree Terrace at Newbury Estates last Saturday, all 157 people in attendance had something in common.
All across the room, people representing different groups talked about their common goals. It didn’t matter if the groups represented deer, turkey, grouse, pheasant or duck hunters, or trout anglers.
Even those unaffiliated with any organization found that they also shared a common bond during the second annual Community Conservation Mixer.
“It was all about doing more for the sports we love,” said event organizer Chris Traver, who is a member of the Northeast PA Chapter of Pheasants Forever. “Whether that’s youth hunting opportunities or habitat work. It definitely sparked the realization that we all need to work together.”
Traver and fellow Pheasants Forever member Ross Piazza came up with the mixer idea two years ago as a way to bring together all the conservation groups in the area. By doing so, they reasoned, all of these different organizations could share ideas, meet each other and hopefully work together for a common goal. After all, Traver said, the work that one group does usually benefits everyone.
Before last year’s event, Traver hoped it would at least attract 50 people as he tested the waters with the idea. The mixer drew 150 people and Traver knew there was enough interest to do it again this year.
While this year’s mixer drew even more people, Traver saw something else that told him the idea has become an annual tradition in the region – one that could possibly spread throughout the state.
“This year I saw even more people and groups talking and sharing ideas. There were people even signing up to become members of groups – we had three people join Pheasants Forever,” Traver said. “I think we’re headed down the right path with this, and I hope to spread this through the state.”
Piazza said the mixer is intentionally informal. There is no sit-down dinner, the speakers are few and brief and there isn’t a program to be followed. Piazza said the relaxed atmosphere is important because it encourages people to walk around, meet each other and talk.
“It’s not a fundraiser or a banquet, but rather a chance to network with other groups, talk about joint projects and get some tips on how to improve habitat work,” Piazza said. “Those are the kinds of things we want to promote.”
Jay Delaney, who represents the northeast region on the Pennsylvania Game Commission board, said the mixer is unique to the area and the concept is “refreshing.”
“As a commissioner I have the opportunity to meet with many groups and they are focused on their specific interests,” Delaney said. “But at the mixer, all of these groups are brought together because we all share a common cause when it comes to the outdoors and conservation.
“Just because you’re a die-hard grouse hunter doesn’t mean you can’t work together with a pheasant group or a deer hunter and accomplish even more. We’re all sportsmen and our focus is on improving the sport and helping the resource.”