MINNESOTA CONSERVATION FEDERATION:

An Inventory of Its Organizational Records at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Minnesota Conservation Federation, creator.
Title:Organizational records.
Dates:1939-2017.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Administrative and other records of a Saint Paul-based nonprofit organization created to coordinate conservation efforts in Minnesota and to promote outdoor recreation in the state.
Quantity: 18.5 cubic feet (18 boxes, 24 folders in 2 partial boxes, and 2 oversize folders, unboxed).
Location:See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseHISTORICAL NOTE

Wilderness StreamThe Minnesota Conservation Federation was established in 1936. It is a coalition of individuals, groups, and communities dedicated to outdoor recreation and to the conservation and ethical use of Minnesota’s natural resources.

The Federation holds as its objectives the advocacy of sound conservation legislation, the promotion of conservation education, and public action towards the wise use and restoration of natural resources. Members include anglers, hikers, hunters, paddlers, and others. A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, it is the Minnesota affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.


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Expand/CollapseSCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection includes correspondence, minutes, resolutions, financial records, audio recordings, newspaper clippings, subject files, some photographs, hunting safety posters, and similar materials. There are numbered wildlife giclee prints made from paintings by several Minnesota artists, and several issues of the Federation's Minnesota Out-of-Doors newsletter missing from the separately-cataloged microfilmed set. The materials document the activities and concerns of the Federation, its education efforts, its finances, Minnesota sportsmen's clubs, state member affiliates, and its interaction with the National Wildlife Federation.


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Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These documents are organized into the following sections:

Historical Background
Minutes
Annual Federation Assemblies
Financial Records
Correspondence
Conservation Education and Other Programs
Minnesota Sportsmen's Clubs
Subject Files
National Wildlife Federation
Audio Recordings
Minnesota Out-of-Doors Newsletters
Fine Art Wildlife Prints
Posters


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Conservation Federation Organizational Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 12,328; 13,590; 17,920

Processing Information:

Processed by: John M. Wickre, June 1978; Bonnie Palmquist, September 1985

Additions by: David B. Peterson, February 2024

Catalog ID number: 990017351160104294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseHISTORICAL BACKGROUND

LocationBox
149.G.2.8F1 undated, 1958-1974.
Articles of incorporation, undated, 1943, 1954.
Constitution and bylaws, undated, 1958, 1970-1974.
Fifty remarkable years (1936-1986), 1986.
General file, 1955-1971.
Clothing patches and decal, undated.

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Expand/CollapseMINUTES

Minutes of board and executive committee meetings. Many files include resolutions. There are also resolutions in the Annual Federation Assemblies files.


LocationBox
149.G.2.8F1 1939-1940.
1942-1943.
1944, 1946, 1948-1949.
1950, 1952-1989. 23 folders.
LocationBox
149.B.13.4F18 1990-2014. 26 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.2.9B2 2015-2017. 3 folders.

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Expand/CollapseANNUAL FEDERATION ASSEMBLIES

Minutes, correspondence, reports, resolutions, event tickets, and other supporting documents.


LocationBox
149.G.2.9F2General forms and data, 1954-1955.
Mimeographed forms used by the organization, 1953-1957.
Prospects: Club affiliations, 1951-1954.
Prospects: Commercial and life members, 1953-1954.
Registration cards, 1953-1971.
Registrations, 1953-1972.
Resolutions passed, 1953-1959.
1939.
1942-1944. 3 folders.
1946. 2 folders.
1953-1960. 33 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.2.10F3 1961-1964. 41 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.3.1B4 1965-1971. 42 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.3.2F5 1971-1972. 7 folders.
LocationBox
153.I.13.7B19 1973-2004. 13 folders.

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Expand/CollapseFINANCIAL RECORDS

LocationBox
149.G.3.2F5Financial miscellany.
Reports of the treasurer, 1940s-1970s. 6 folders.
Office money entries, 1955-1973. 3 folders.
Reports of cash income, 1964-1973. 2 folders.
Yearly financial reports, 1973-1976. 6 folders.
Calendar sales reports, 1962-1970.
Record of delinquent dues paying sportsmen's clubs, 1954-1971
Bills owed to the Minnesota Conservation Federation, 1953-1964.
Approved expenses, 1967-1969.
Minnesota Conservation Federation deposits, 1970-1973.

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Expand/CollapseCORRESPONDENCE

Includes officers and committee chairmen.


LocationBox
149.G.3.3B6Beresford, Victor, 1958-1959.
Brodin, Keith, 1962-1966. 2 folders.
Carlson, Lawrence, 1969-1971. 5 folders.
Clark, Otto, 1958-1959.
Clemens, Fred, 1958-1971.
Farmes, Al, 1968-1973.
Herbst, Robert, 1967-1968.
Johnson, R. C., 1966-1967. 2 folders.
Joslin, Verne E., 1960-1962.
Koll, Lawrence, 1971.
Luick, Homer, 1962-1971.
McGowan, Marty, 1967-1972.
McKinley, Marion, 1970-1972.
Nierengarten, Phil, 1968-1972.
0’Konek, Jack, 1965-1967. 2 folders.
Preuss, Roger, 1959-1970.
Riis, Richard, 1970-1971.
Rose, John, 1966-1974. 8 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.3.4F7Sahlstrom, Howard, 1972.
Sakry, Cliff, 1952-1955. 7 folders.
Schneider, Carl, 1973.
Sekula, Joe, 1966-1970.
Shields, Ted, 1969-1970. 2 folders.
Sterle, Anton, 1960-1964.
Theel, Clarence, 1971.
Weddington, Martin, 1958.
Wiese, Emil, 1963-1972. 4 folders.
Wilson, Chester S., 1955-1960.
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1939-1975. 28 folders.

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Expand/CollapseCONSERVATION EDUCATION AND OTHER PROGRAMS

LocationBox
149.G.3.5B8Miscellaneous conservation education material. 2 folders.
Minutes and miscellany of the Minnesota Conservation Federation Education Committee. 5 folders.
Minnesota Conservation Federation Achievement Program. 12 folders.
Minnesota Conservation Federation nominations for the National Wildlife Awards Program.

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Expand/CollapseMINNESOTA SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS

Files typically include lists of club members, dues statements, Minnesota Out-of-Doors subscription lists, club correspondence with the Federation secretary, applications for affiliation with the Federation, a few scattered snapshot photographs, and similar material dating from approximately 1956 to approximately 1971.


LocationBox
149.G.3.6F9Lists of Minnesota sportsmen's clubs.
Federation of Aitkin County Sportsmen's Club - Lake George Conservation Club. 62 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.3.7B10Lake Superior Steelhead Association - Town & Country Sportsmen's Club. 67 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.3.8F11Tracy Sportsmen's Club - Zumbro Valley Sportsmen's Association. 18 folders.

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Expand/CollapseSUBJECT FILES

LocationBox
149.G.3.8F11Big Stone Whetstone Project, 1960-1962.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area, undated.
Central Conservation Association, 1959-1962.
Clean Air Clear Water Unlimited, 1959-1961.
Conservation Achievement Program, 1966-1967.
Conservation teaching aids: a bibliography, undated.
Dinndorf, Don - Minnesota Out-of-Doors, 1947, 1955, 1986.
Ducks Unlimited, 1959.
Environmental Impact Statement, 1974.
Films on conservation.
Films are not present.
Fort Snelling State Park, 1961-1962
Johnson v. Seifert case, 1959-1960.
Keep Minnesota Green, 1961-1966.
Lake Heron Project, 1974.
Lake States Forest Experiment Station, 1960-1961.
Land O' Lakes Boat Show, 1960.
Long Lake Conservation Center, 1968-1975.
McGregor, George, 1964-1966.
Marshall County tour, 1962.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs, 1960.
Minnesota Arrowhead Association, 1958-1960. 2 folders.
Minnesota Conservation Department, 1958-1968.
Minnesota Conservation Federation miscellaneous material, 1940s-1970s, 3 folders.
[0.2 cubic feet empty, letter size]
LocationBox
149.G.3.9B12Minnesota Conservation Federation:
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1950s-1970s. 3 folders.
Anoka County Tour, 1962.
Bulletins and releases, 1944-1972.
Conservation clubs material:
Affiliated clubs, 1949-1962.
Affiliated clubs by districts, 1963-1971.
Club awards, 1962.
Clubs participating in conservation programs, 1966.
Correspondence with non-affiliated clubs, 1962-1968.
Clubs: Questionnaires, 1970.
Reports of district club meetings, 1963-1968.
Commercial membership, 1972.
Committees:
Committee appointments, 1971-1972.
Committee functions and descriptions, 1971-1972.
Credentials Committee, 1973.
Farm Programs and Land Owner Sportsmen Committee, 1973.
Legislative committees, 1960-1972.
Legislative and Resolutions Committee, 1973.
Meetings Committee, 1973.
Membership and speakers panel, 1973.
National Affairs Committee, 1964-1965, 1973. 2 folders.
Nominating Committee, 1973.
Pollution Committee, 1966-1967.
Public Relations Committee, 1973.
Resolutions Committee, 1959-1961.
Rules and Bylaws Committee, 1973.
Wildlife Week Committee, 1973.
1977 committees (members of committees), 1977.
Districts and divisions, undated.
Film George Washington’s River, 1960-1962.
Information about this movie. The film itself is not present.
Governor's Dinner, January 22, 1955.
Historical files, 1949-1960.
Insurance Sportsmen's Fund Drive, 1954-1972. 2 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.3.10F13Insurance, 1955-1956.
Invitations to speak, 1970.
Job descriptions, 1969-1970.
Legislative reports and literature, 1958-1970. 4 folders.
Life Membership Award, 1974.
Man in the Field Awards, 1956-1970.
Memberships, commercial, 1958.
Membership forms, undated.
Merchandise for sale:
Fisherman Press: Eschmeyer Books, 1954-1959.
Roger Preuss Calendars, 1959.
Minnesota Conservation Federation and Minnesota Education Association conventions, 1966-1968.
MOOD (Minnesota out-of-doors newsletter) advertising, 1962-1972. 2 folders.
MOOD photographs/images, undated.
National Wildlife Federation: Certificates of affiliation from the Federation, 1956-1962. 2 folders.
Past presidents, 1962.
President's Award, 1974.
Resolution on Drainage and Insecticides, 1960.
Resumes, 1971-1972.
Ross-Clancy Agreement concerning MOOD, 1976.
Sherman Kelly & Associates, 1970-1972.
Speakers reports, 1970.
Summer employment applications, 1963-1964.
Wetlands, 1963-1975.
Minnesota Conservation Foundation: Board of trustees miscellaneous correspondence, 1972.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1972-1975.
Minnesota Environment Control Citizens Association, 1971.
Minnesota Game Protective League, 1953.
Minnesota Natural Resources Council, 1961-1962.
Minnesota Newspaper Association, 1962-1969.
Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Resources Commission, 1966-1968. 2 folders.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 1970.
Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society.
Minnesota Soil Conservation Service, 1959-1962.
Minnesota Watershed Congress, 1958-1959.
Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Inc.
Folder missing, February 2024.
Mississippi River at Winona, 1970.
National Wildlife Federation: Photograph of a group of unidentified persons at an Atlanta meeting, 1984.
Newspapers. 2 folders.
Northern Environmental Council, 1973-1975.
North Dakota Wildlife Federation, 1965.
Northwestern National Bank, 1972.
Office manager's reports to the Board, December 3, 1960-June 9, 1962.
Officers and directors, 1940.
"Our environmental quality is deteriorating rapidly," undated.
Pelletier, Milt, 1974-1985.
Philip's Legislative Service, 1957-1961.
Photographs.
LocationBox
149.G.4.1B14Power plant siting information, 1972.
Resolutions of other state groups, 1961-1962.
Soil Conservation Society of America, 1963.
South Dakota Wildlife Federation, 1961-1962.
South Dakota Wildlife News, 1960-1966.
Southern Minnesota Conservation Association, 1966-1967.
Tamarac Refuge, 1974.
United States Department of the Interior, 1975.
United States House of Representatives, 1958-1964.
United States Senate, 1958-1964.
Veteran's pheasant dinners, 1959.
Voyageur's Park, 1968.
Wilderness Bill, 1958-1962.
Wildlife Management Institute, 1958.
Miscellany, 1953-1970.

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Expand/CollapseNATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

LocationBox
149.G.4.1B14Miscellany, 1954-1975. 4 folders.
Executive Committee meetings, 1951-1953. 5 volumes.
Board of Directors meetings, 1950-1957. 10 volumes.
[0.1 cubic feet empty, letter size]
LocationBox
149.G.4.2F15Board of directors meetings, 1958-1972. 17 folders.
Annual meetings, 1951-1966. 24 folders.
LocationBox
149.G.4.3B16Annual meetings, 1967-1974. 7 folders.
Affiliates, 1958-1972. 2 folders.
Brownridge, J. A., 1960-1964.
Conservation Award, 1961.
Conservation report bulletin, January-April, 1965.
Distinguished Service Award, 1962.
Great Lakes Affiliate meeting, 1976-1977.
Kimball, Tom, 1961-1975. 3 folders.
Magazine (National Wildlife), 1962, 1969.
Merchandise-price list, 1962.
Morgan, Bud, 1961-1971. 2 folders.
National Affairs Committee, 1960-1962.
Organization manual, 1950-1967.
Patch, 1961-1962.
President's Letter, 1967-1970. 1967-1970.
Wildlife Week, 1960-1973. 9 folders.

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Expand/CollapseAUDIO RECORDINGS

State and national meetings, interviews, and miscellaneous conservation subjects. Includes a folder of reel lists.


LocationBox
149.G.4.4F17Seven-inch reels:
1. Annual meeting (Winona State College), December 2, 1961.
2. Resolution Committee meeting (Duluth), September. 15, 1961.
3. Resolution Committee meeting (Alexandria), September 18, 1964.
4. Board meeting (St. Cloud), December 5, 1964.
5-7. Annual meeting (Detroit Lakes), September 17-19, 1965.
8. Resolution Committee (Detroit Lakes), September 17, 1965.
9. Board meeting (Willmar), December 11, 1965.
10. Board meeting (Delano), July 9, 1966.
11-12. Board meeting (Quadna Mountain Lodge, Hill City, Minn.), September 17-18, 1966.
13. Resolution Committee (Quadna Mountain Lodge), September 16-18, 1966.
14-15. Community Leadership Training Program, February 11, 1967.
16. Board meeting (Robbinsdale), April, 1967.
17. Annual meeting (Ely), July 8, 1967.
18-19. Annual meeting (Duluth), September 16-17, 1967.
20-21. Board meeting, 1968.
Five-inch reels:
1. Carlson Larry, Rose John, McGowan: What is the Minnesota Conservation Federation doing? 2 reels.
2. Olstad, Jerry: Scouts and soar. 2 reels.
3. Schaeffer James, Luick Homer: The National Wildlife Federation in action.
4. Fernette Greg, Crossley Alan: Environmental lectures to high school students along the Mississippi River.
5. Grosslein Roger, Miller John: New pilot program in Minnesota in Environmental Education.
6. Hubert Jim, Swenson Lou: Federal Wetlands Project.
7. Gerchy Ed: Outdoor Environment Page and Youth.
8. Deutz Ron, Job Louis: Outdoor ED; Summer ED; conservation scholarships.
9. Fischer, Dan: State parks and outdoor classrooms.
10. Coulter John: Environmental education for elementary teachers.
11. Haag, Ken: Backyard ecology—trees—birds.
12. Schramm, Ed: Outdoor education—responsibility--liability.
13. Ridlington, Kern, Marcum, Jim: The Long Lake Conservation Center--a beacon light.
14. Jopp: The St. Cloud water facility--water more precious than diamonds.
15. Jopp, Harlan: Conservation in action projects.
16. Schramm, Earl: Colorado outdoor experiences at National Wildlife Federation Estes Park, July 1970.
"B" series five-inch reels:
1. McKane, John: What's doing with the volunteer?
2. Kech, David: Wolves: an ecological study.
3. Schoenecker, Roger: Objectives of the I & E Trust.
4. Larson, Goodman: Birds in Winter and the annual census.
5. Severson, Bill: Outdoor Safety Program.
6. Sharp, Robert W.: Oil and chemical spills and the environment.
7. Elder, James: Pesticides and our environment.
8. Thoma, Ben: The Summer Naturalist Program at Itasca Park.
9. Jorgenson, Samuel E.: Endangered species.
10. DeBates, Larry: Wetlands history and values.
Miscellaneous reels. 3 reels.
Audiocassettes:
Haver, Luick: Interview, 1986.
Sakry interview: Part 1, Spring 1986.
Second Sakry interview, Summer 1986.
Reel lists, undated, 1970-1971.

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Expand/CollapseMINNESOTA OUT-OF-DOORS NEWSLETTERS

Hard copies of some issues of this publication that are not included in the microfilm set.


LocationBox
153.I.13.7B19 May 1957.
September/October 1993.
July/August 1997.
November/December 1997.
March/April 2005.
Winter 2009.
Summer 2009.
Fall 2009.
Summer 2013.

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Expand/CollapseFINE ART WILDLIFE PRINTS

Editioned (numbered) giclee reproduction prints of animals and birds. The reproductions were made from original paintings by the artists identified.


LocationFolder
+3601Wild Wings Collection of Fine Art Prints by Ron Van Gilder:
On the Lookout--Wolves, 1989.
41/950
Winter Wood--Red Fox, 1991.
41/950
Winter Watch--Bobcat, 1992.
41/950
Something's Up--Black Bear, 1993.
41/950
LocationFolder
+3602Minnesota Conservation Federation Stamp Prints:
November Whitetail by Richard W. Plasschaert, 1982.
41/1500
North Country Loon by Phil Scholer, 1983.
41/1500
Winter Evening Serenade--Timber Wolves by Michael Sieve, 1984.
41/1500
Cane Break--Canada Geese by Gary W. Moss, 1985.
41/1500
Pepin Heights--Bald Eagle by Wayne Meineke, 1986.
41/1500
Winter Run--Ringneck Pheasant by Marc R. Hanson, 1987.
41/1500
Monarch of the North--Moose by Michael Sieve, 1988.
41/1500
LocationFolder
142.G.2.1B-13Minnesota Conservation Federation prints by Cyndi Nelson (Walker, Minn.):
Wilderness Pride (Bald Eagles), 1994.
41/950
Showtime (Turkeys) (Brush with Nature Studio), undated.
41/950

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Expand/CollapsePOSTERS

LocationFolder
142.G.2.1B-14
Deer hunters: What will YOUR bag be? undated.
Hunters: How will your hunting end? undated.
Warning to hunters: Play it safe and come home alive! undated.
Why? Guess I'm all set for the deer hunting season, undated.
$50.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of any person or persons willfully damaging the property..., undated.

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Expand/CollapseRELATED MATERIALS

A microfilmed set of the Federation's Minnesota out-of-doors newsletter is cataloged separately in the Minnesota Historical Society library. Some issues are missing from that set.

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Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Conservation of natural resources--Study and teaching--Minnesota.
Conservation of natural resources--Minnesota--Citizen participation.
Hunting and fishing clubs--Minnesota.
Nonprofit organizations--Minnesota.
Outdoor recreation--Minnesota.
Wildlife art--Minnesota.
Wildlife artists--Minnesota.
Wildlife conservation--Minnesota.
Persons:
Moss, Gary, author.
Sakry, Cliff, author.
Sieve, Michael, author.
Van Gilder, Ron, author.
Organizations:
National Wildlife Federation, author.
Document Types:
Audiotapes.
Giclee prints.
Photographs.
Posters.
Serials (publications).
Titles:
Minnesota out-of-doors.

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