Raleigh, NC April 9, 2007 The state agency responsible for conserving North Carolina’s natural resources for over 50 years now hopes residents will consume some of them. In an effort to raise funds for non-game species of wildlife, The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will kick off its brand new “Wildstock” program this weekend at Bass Pro Shops in Concord. The event features live entertainment and will showcase the newly selected official Wildstock product line selected by the commission. As part of the Wildstock program, affiliated manufacturers and retailers will donate 2% of retail sales back to the Wildlife Commission.
“It’s the first time the NCWRC has focused its efforts on raising money for non-game species,” says Mark Dubowski, marketing director of the commission. “It’s another way the state can contribute to conserving all of our state’s natural resources.” The Wildlife Commission issues all hunting, fishing and boating licenses and is responsible for enforcing laws governing public land and waterways.
One product featured at the upcoming Wildstock concert will be the newly selected signature wine series from NC artist Mike Helsabeck. The wine, produced by Yadkin Valley’s Weathervane Winery, features Helsabeck’s paintings on the labels. There are currently four wines in the series with a fifth expected to be released in early May and another in the fall. Dubowski says he selected Helsabeck’s wines for a couple of reasons. “The wine industry in NC is booming so it made sense for us to partner with a NC winery. Mike is certainly no stranger to the NCWRC as his artwork has been featured on the cover of our calendars the last two years. When we found out he’d partnered with a NC winery and was producing his own wines, we had to try them. One taste and we knew it was right.”
Helsabeck, a native of Lexington, NC, is also serving as NC Ducks Unlimited’s artist of the year and his wildlife artwork has sold all over the world. He says the selection came as somewhat of a surprise. “When Mark called and said he wanted to come by the gallery I had no idea he was interested in the wine,” Helsabeck says as he chuckles. “Had it not been for the Wildlife Commission I’d probably not had the opportunity to paint full time in the first place, now I guess I’m really indebted to them. I sure am glad I bought a lifetime sportsman’s license a few years ago.”