July 15, 2007 saw the passing of Kurt Schumacher , one of the true pioneers of the BCWF Wilderness Watch program. Kurt was born on July 16, 1929 in Bonlanden, West Germany.
A painter by trade, Kurt spent a great deal of his retirement years dedicated to the Wilderness Watch, and Community Policing programs. Kurt also enjoyed the B.C. outdoors, especially the Houston/Burns Lake region, where he and his wife Hilda, spent time fishing and hunting.
Kurt started his tenure as the North Shore Fish & Game Club Wilderness Watch Coordinator, and who can forget those Wilderness Watch blitzes across the North Shore. Kurt would involve both provincial and federal authorities, and the community, to inform the public about fish and wildlife conservation, and habitat issues. And the barbecues and parties afterwards, hosted by Kurt and Hilda. When the food came off the pool table, throw in some accordion playing, (by none other then Kurt) and the networking amongst the government people, and club members was now flowing freely.
Kurt increased his involvement with the Wilderness Watch program, becoming the Lower Mainland region coordinator, where he took his learning from the club level to the region. Kurt could be seen on many weekends throughout the region, involved with the clubs, hosting blitzes, speaking at club meetings, and manning the BCWF booth at trade shows, and community events.
Kurt was named the provincial coordinator for Wilderness Watch in 2003. On any given day, Kurt and Hilda could bee seen spreading the Wilderness Watch philosophy around the province.
Public Awareness through signage, the eyes and ears for the authorities through the ORR (Observe, Record, Report) program, now RAPP (Report a Poacher or Polluter) was Kurt's message.
Kurt was a dedicated and valuable asset to the B.C. Wildlife Federation and all our member clubs. His commitment to the cause, the drive and effort he put into making the program and our Federation a success has never been equaled. He will be missed.
We who remain behind need to remember Kurt in the manner that he would have wanted most of all. We need to rededicate ourselves to the Wilderness Watch program and keep it the type of program, both we and Kurt can be proud of.
