The fast flurry of fundraising was a highlight of the 2015 DSC convention and expo, which wrapped up its annual four-day run on Jan. 18. Attendance and conservation funding totals will take several days to tally, but all signs on the show’s final day were trending toward new records.

“It’s been a tremendous convention, with sold-out banquets, lively auctions and heavy traffic in the expo hall,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “But everyone is buzzing about the spontaneous $1 million outpouring of support from DSC members who are passionate about getting kids involved in the outdoors and conservation.”

Their cumulative donation is earmarked to support Outdoor Adventures, a Texas-borne program that introduces students and their parents to a wide range of outdoor activities. The curriculum is now being taught in more than 170 secondary schools – many of them public – across Texas and in a growing number of other states.

DSC is a longtime sponsor of the program, administered by the Dallas Ecological Foundation.

Carter thanked all the donors, sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers who have helped build the DSC event into one of America’s premier fundraisers for wildlife conservation, youth education and defending hunters’ rights.

Grants for DSC initiatives worldwide will be awarded later this year.

Convention sponsors include Sports Afield, Shikar Safaris, Trijicon, EuroOptic, Boyt Harness Co., Yamaha Motor Corp. USA, Hornady, The Hunting Consortium, Bass Pro Shops, Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, The Wildlife Gallery, Capital Farm Credit, Rungwa Game Safaris, Blaser USA, Legendary Consortium, Sovereign Bank, Global Rescue, David R. Oakes CIMA, Ruger, Capt. Peacock Yachts and Expeditions, and many others.