However, he said that the arts’ 19.75 percent share of dedicated funds is an acceptable compromise from the original 25 percent. “The bill is what it is,” he said. “It wasn’t going to happen without the arts.”

Critical to passage of any amendment, he said, will be a citizen’s committee that will have a say in how game and fish funds are spent.

Other key components needed to garner broad support from voters will be a local grants program where local conservation entities will be able to qualify for grants up to $100,000 for local conservation projects, and a forest access provision to counter a growing trend of privatization of forest lands in northern Minnesota.

Leaf told club members, who later surprised him with their annual Conservationist of the Year award, that groups like their club are the “influencers” who will be needed to convince less involved and less passionate voters to support the dedicated funding amendment.

More information about Sportsmen for Change can be found at sportsmenforchange.org.