I thought I was being helpful by offering the National Wildlife Federation the profits from a fund-raising effort by our company. The store was sanctioned as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by them and I’ve been a member and regular contributor to their fund for years. I contacted them and asked the person in charge of that type of thing how I would go about arranging a program that would give them a rather large contribution and provide exposure to potential new members. I was informed that she would “mull it over” and get back to me. I couldn’t understand why she would need to mull it over. I wanted to contribute profits of a program to them with no strings attached other than to say the proceeds would be going to them. She didn’t get back to me even though I told her I was under time constraints. I was finally able to get through to her about a week later.

She rather bluntly told me “thanks, but no thanks” and informed me that she didn’t think Pond Doc’s Water Garden Center and the National Wildlife Federation were compatible. Talk about being confused!  I wasn’t asking her to marry me I was trying to give her organization some money!  She went on about koi not being wildlife or an endangered species and used big phrases like “conflict of interests” in the same sentence with koi and blue herons.

I was disappointed that my good intentions were shot down with such malice. How dare she indicate that pond people are not wildlife people! She obviously knew nothing about the type of people who have ponds. If anything, pond people are apt to be more sensitive to wildlife concerns than the average Joe. We’re the type of people who love both animals and nature. What could be more compatible than that? This whole episode affected me deeply.

I still believe the National Wildlife Federation does good things but there are lots of organizations that do good things. I threw away the “Backyard Wildlife Habitat” sign I purchased in protest and pulled my support from this organization. I doubt they’ll miss me. They obviously do not need contributions. I have begun contributing to other organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and several chapters of the Humane Society instead.

My conscience is clear that I tried to do some good in this world but the whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe one day I’ll try it again but for now I don’t have the desire to face possible rejection from another organization.

I tried to be impartial in my thought process but after mulling it over I came to the conclusion that she was the one who wasn’t compatible!

From The Little Critters Edition of What's Up, Doc?, Jan & Feb 2002
© Copyright 2002, The Pond Doc's Water Garden Center. All rights Reserved. Reproduction of this article prohibited without prior consent of The Pond Doc.