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When was the Chuck Haugen Conservation Fund started?
In a way, the Chuck Haugen Conservation Fund (CHCF) began with the inspiration that Chuck Haugen gave to volunteers like those of the California Native Plant Society and Monterey Dunes Natural History Association and to staff such as those working for California State University Monterey Bay, California State Parks, and the Bureau of Land Management at Fort Ord. Chuck was like a quiet ambassador who, by his actions and passing of information for and between many conservation organizations, helped bring closer together the many folks contributing to the conservation of Monterey Bay's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Chuck did this in an upbeat, easy-going fashion, and everyone lucky enough to spend time with Chuck enjoyed many moments of learning and appreciating central California's wildlands.
Chuck died while volunteering near Mudhen Lake on Fort Ord but his inspiration of others didn't stop there. The energy levels were high at Chuck's memorial service on Fort Ord. There was some sadness but there was more buzz in the air of happiness because Chuck had once again been the catalyst for many volunteers and staff of various organizations to come together and share good time. Nine of Chuck's friends met at Mudhen Lake for a brown bag picnic in July of 2003, one year after Chuck's death, and they discussed recent successes in conserving and restoring the great outdoors since Chuck's passing. They agreed that the next summer, 2004, there should be another picnic on Fort Ord with the same friends and invited guests that attended Chuck's memorial services as well as the general public.
By February of 2004, CHCF was officially created under the umbrella of the California Native Plant Society and in the summers of both 2004 and 2005 fantastic picnics with 125 and 250 folks were provided with free gourmet food, guided natural history hikes, games, and a ceremony of thanks, grants, and awards deep in the backcountry of Fort Ord. No power, no water, no problem! CHCF was officially off the ground and continues in late 2005 to find its place in continuing Chuck's legacy of inspiring and appreciating volunteers and professional staff who contribute to the conservation of Monterey Bay's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
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Learn more about us:
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The mission of the
Chuck Haugen Conservation Fund
is to appreciate and inspire
volunteers and professionals
who participate in the conservation of the
Monterey Bay area's ecosystems.
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Your contributions are tax deductible!
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Click here for information on other local conservation groups!
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