Scholastic 3-D Archery is proud to announce Drew Kazenski as the Illinois S3DA State Conservation Coordinator. Drew will work alongside S3DA National Conservation Coordinator, Patty Reel, and Illinois S3DA State Coordinator, Steve Groom, to provide members across the state archery and hunting education along with conservation-related activities. Drew stated, “I got interested in conservation because I wanted to give back to the land and water that I take from. My passion is found in the woods, listening for the sunrise gobble, the late morning crow of a pheasant while patiently waiting in a deer stand, the silence of an afternoon fly line, and the bedtime bugle of a bull elk; all things are possible due to efforts of the people before us.” Drew’s ultimate favorite style of hunt is elk hunting, as he said the seclusion and being self-sufficient makes for quite the experience.
Drew Kazenski currently resides in central Illinois enjoying the great outdoors with his wife, Leeann, and their golden retriever moose. Drew knows a lot about central Illinois as this is where he grew up with hunting and fishing being a vital part to his upbringing. Drew learned from his father, an avid hunter and angler, the important role habitat has on humans and wildlife. It was this upbringing and Drew’s passion for the outdoors which led to his understanding that we must not only take from the land but we must also give back. This mindset pushed Drew to volunteer with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). BHA is a nationwide conservation organization committed to protecting our wild public lands and keeping them for generations to come, as they were meant to be, wild. Drew is the Chair of the Illinois Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, leading conservation efforts across Illinois such as habitat restoration & clean-ups as well as awareness efforts to ensure people will take pride and responsibility for their wild lands and water.
Drew is committed to teaching and giving others the opportunity to be directly involved in habitat, creating a conservation investment, allowing all to have a deeper connection to the land. Drew says that it is this connection that will secure wild places for wildlife, hunters, anglers, and everyone for the future.
Drew learned about the S3DA program through some Illinois S3DA representatives. He went to a regional shoot to see how he could help support the program and saw the future of conservation on the course. Drew thinks this position will allow him to give back and help educate future generations to become conservationists. Drew said, “You can see all the excitement and drive of these archers. There is real passion that comes from youth within this program.”
Drew will influence youth to participate in more outdoor recreational activities by including them in conservation efforts and education opportunities that are directly hands-on. His short-term goals include working with various established archery clubs, shops, organizations, etc., to create archery and conservation opportunities for S3DA across Illinois. He is currently working with Lake Shelbyville Archery Park. His long-term goal is to ensure the next generation continues that effort.
To learn more, please visit the Illinois S3DA Facebook page or contact Drew Kazenski (drew.kazenski@gmail.com).