Ducks Unlimited Conservation

I had the pleasure of bumping into US Senator Katie Britt from Alabama on my flight back from the DU Oklahoma State Convention. It was great to see such a strong supporter of Ducks Unlimited! Katie was on her way to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.

South Carolinian to lead DU Public Policy Committee | Ducks Unlimited New board member Mike McShane brings extensive experience in the Palmetto State

DU Podcast | Ep. 596 – Dr. Scott Stephens – Summer Rains Provide Major Boost to the Prairies: https://apple.co/3LLjMgd

After four years of extended drought, spring and summer rains finally provide relief to the US and Canadian prairies, but what does it mean for the fall flight? Dr. Scott Stephens joins co-hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher for a mid-July update on breeding habitat conditions across the prairies and boreal forest. Because much of the rain came after ducks had settled and managers expect a relatively small breeding population count, waterfowlers probably shouldn’t expect a banner crop this fall. Nevertheless, renesting and brood survival should benefit, and wetland conditions heading into fall will be better than they’ve been in years.
Photo: Ben Romans, DU

Field Reports: 2024 Duck Production Outlook | Ducks Unlimited An overview of habitat conditions across North America’s most important waterfowl breeding areas

Critical wetland acres for breeding and migratory waterfowl will be protected in Ohio, Wisconsin and New York.

$10.7 Million Awarded For Great Lakes Conservation | Ducks Unlimited

DU Podcast | Ep. 591 – The Value of a Wetland: Exploring the Benefits of Wetlands to Waterfowl, Wildlife, and People: https://apple.co/4eU7387

On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, Dr. Jerad Henson hosts Dr. Mike Brasher, DU's senior waterfowl scientist, and Dr. Ellen Herbert, DU's senior scientist for sustainability and nature-based solutions. They dive into the value of wetlands, discussing the importance of wetlands for waterfowl and sustainability. They highlight the significance of wetlands in the priority landscapes of the Prairie Pothole Region and Mississippi River Valley. Tune in to explore the vital role wetland ecosystems play in our world and the work being done at Ducks Unlimited to protect them.
Photos: Ducks Unlimited

If you aren't thinking about water and nature, you need to be! Jeff Hanratty, managing director for national sustainability programs, represented Ducks Unlimited at the Dow Championship's Business Sustainability Summit alongside Dow's Andre Argenton, Chief Sustainability Office and Vice President of EH&S, and Carrie Houtman, Director of Circularity & Climate, and also Emilio Tenuta from Ecolab and Chris Keefer from BeAlive Inc. The panel focused on the challenges associated with water scarcity and biodiversity decline while addressing the importance of conservation, climate protection, and industry collaboration.

Special thanks to Dow for the opportunity to share DU's mission and vision during this awesome event!

DU Podcast | Ep. 589 – $100 Million for the Prairies and 1 Million Acres of Conservation Delivery: https://apple.co/3xCojhf

Dr. Karen Waldrop, DU’s chief conservation officer, joins Dr. Mike Brasher to share two unprecedented announcements reflecting DU’s continued growth and impact for waterfowl conservation. First was a monumental $100 Million gift from Jim Kennedy and the James M. Cox Foundation to support the permanent protection of wetlands and grasslands in DU’s highest priority landscape—the Prairie Pothole Region. Second was DU’s organizational milestone of having delivered 1 Million acres of conservation in a single year for the first time in our history. These achievements put DU in an elite category of the non-profit world and demonstrate the power and appeal of our conservation mission.
The DU Podcast is brought to you by Purina Pro Plan and Mossy Oak.

Photo: Derek Christians, DU

Nutrien Ag Solutions commits $1M to support sustainable agriculture for rice growers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, and California.

Nutrien Supports USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership | Ducks Unlimited Nutrien commits $1M to support sustainable agriculture for rice growers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, and California

Senate Ag Committee Republicans released their Farm Bill framework.

"We appreciate Ranking Member John Boozman for outlining his priorities to help move the ball forward on a 2024 Farm Bill. The bill’s conservation title is critical to DU’s mission, and we are thankful for the support for Wetland Reserve Easements and other voluntary, incentive-based programs that benefit producers. The recent efforts in the House and Senate have been promising, and we’re looking forward to further bipartisan collaboration to pass a Farm Bill that supports farmers, ranchers, and habitat across the U.S."

Ducks Unlimited: House and Senate making progress on Farm Bill | Ducks Unlimited Sen. Boozman introduces proposal for 2024 Farm Bill

Nutrien Ag Solutions recently committed $1 million over four years to support sustainable agriculture practices for rice growers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas and California.

“Our collaboration with Nutrien is a vital step towards achieving widespread adoption of sustainable agriculture practices among rice farmers,” said Ducks Unlimited Director of Agriculture Support Scott Manley. “This partnership will focus on working with local agricultural communities to promote the benefits of sustainable farming and conservation efforts. The support of industry-leading corporations, like Nutrien, demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and is critical to our ability to make this level of change happen.”

Nutrien Supports USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership | Ducks Unlimited “Our collaboration with Nutrien is a vital step towards achieving widespread adoption of sustainable agriculture practices among rice farmers,” said Ducks Unlimited Director of Agriculture Support Scott Manley. “This partnership will focus on working with local agricultural communities to prom...

Valuable ecosystem services provided by DU’s conservation work can help corporate partners reach their sustainability goals.

Conservation: Natural Solutions | Ducks Unlimited Valuable ecosystem services provided by DU’s conservation work can help corporate partners reach their sustainability goals

Wetlands: Essential Ecosystems for Waterfowl, Wildlife and People Discover the vital role of wetlands in biodiversity, supporting waterfowl, wildlife and people. Learn how these ecosystems contribute to sustainability and explore the types of wetlands and how you can help in their conservation.

World Biodiversity Day: Today, we celebrate the incredible variety of life on our planet and the vital role that biodiversity plays in maintaining healthy wetlands. Wetlands are essential hotspots for biodiversity and among the most productive ecosystems in the world. From waterfowl and other migratory birds to amphibians, fish, mammals, and plants, wetlands provide habitat for countless species (over 900 to be exact) of plants and animals. Our conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring these vital habitats to promote the growth of biological diversity for generations to come.

—

Photos: Michael Furtman
1. Northern pintail pair with a blue-winged teal drake, a Wilson’s phalarope, and American avocet
2. White-tailed deer
3. Great blue heron with frog
4. Yellow-headed blackbird
5. American alligator
6. Whimbrel
7. Moose
8. American coot
9. Turkey
10. Common muskrat

New in Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.: Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam highlights why DU supports House Committee on Agriculture's conservation title.

Opinion: House farm bill delivers common ground on conservation In this opinion piece, Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, highlights why the world’s largest non-profit dedicated to conserving North America’s wetlands and waterfowl habitat supports the voluntary, incentive-based policies included in the House farm bill’s conservation title.

Ducks Unlimited is honored to accept the Conservation Organization of the Year award at Tennessee Wildlife Federation's 59th annual Conservation Achievement Awards! DU is proud to work alongside our partners to improve Tennessee’s wetlands. Learn more about the awards: https://tnwf.org/2024-conservation-achievement-awards/

As we closeout Endangered Species Week, Ducks Unlimited celebrates the critical role wetlands play in protecting endangered wildlife. Wetlands support at least a third of the nation’s threatened and endangered species, such as the endangered whooping crane.

One of the most critical states for these cranes, which happen to be the tallest bird in North America, is Nebraska. In collaboration with the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture—Ducks Unlimited, along with the USFWS, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and supportive landowners across Nebraska, have worked together to restore wetlands crucial for both waterfowl and whooping cranes' migration between Canada and Texas.

After 50 years of federal protection and dedicated habitat conservation, it is estimated that more than 500 whooping cranes now exist in the wild today. While they still remain listed as endangered, the recovery from the brink of extinction is a huge success story and is just one example of how DU’s conservation work benefits a host of other wildlife dependent on wetlands.



Photo: USFWS

In March, over 20,000 acre-feet of much-needed water was delivered to Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). DU partnered with the Tulelake Irrigation District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to activate Pumping Plant D for the first time in four years to help flood wetlands that have been dry for years.

Klamath Basin Refuges Flooded for First Time Since 2020 | Ducks Unlimited Water from the Klamath River was delivered to Lower Klamath and Tule Lake NWRs

Today the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission has approved $84.3 million in new North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants. Great news for one of our most effective conservation programs.

Interior Department Announces More Than $87 Million for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges | U.S. Department of the Interior The Department of the Interior today announced more than $87 million in funding has been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners the ability to help conserve, restore or enhance 315,823 acres of critical wetland and associ...

Thank you to the bipartisan members of Congress who joined us at this year's Capitol Hill Dinner in Washington, DC! We're grateful for the support for wetlands conservation from our friends in Congress and the Administration.

Capitol Hill celebrates wetlands conservation with Ducks Unlimited | Ducks Unlimited Speaker Mike Johnson headlines bipartisan event in nation’s capital

Exciting news! The conservation collaboration between Ducks Unlimited and Cargill keeps soaring to new heights. Cargill recently hosted DU Chief Conservation Officer Dr. Karen Waldrop at their World Headquarters in Wayzata, Minnesota. Dr. Waldrop shared insights on the state of our nation's natural resources and wetlands and DU's vital cross-border conservation work spanning the US and Canada. Dr. Waldrop was also proud to present Cargill North America Director, Corporate Responsibility Pete Stoddart with the distinguished “Cornstubble Canada” bronze, honoring Cargill's long-standing partnership with DU. 🌱🦆

DU and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation completed a wetland enhancement project at Lakeview Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Northern pike, black terns, black ducks, and other wildlife will benefit from this public-land conservation work.

Lakeview WMA Project has Multi-Species Impact | Ducks Unlimited Northern pike, black terns, black ducks and other wildlife will benefit from this public-land conservation work

Why did the wetland throw a party on Arbor Day? Because it wanted to celebrate its roots... Join us in celebrating !

Did you know? One way DU conserves by replanting forests. DU has planted roughly 90 million trees across the US as part of our reforestation and habitat restoration efforts. Through partnerships with communities, landowners, corporate sponsors and other organizations, we are working together to restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change. By planting a diverse array of native tree species, we aim to create resilient ecosystems that provide critical habitat for wildlife, improve air and water quality and promote soil fertility.

Photo: Dr. Jerad Henson, DU

DU Senior Scientist Dr. Ellen Herbert was selected as an author for the first National Nature Assessment (NNA1) by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Dr. Herbert and several notable scientists and colleagues from around the country were selected to draft the “Nature and Safety and Security” chapter of the NNA1. This publication will take stock of U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and the benefits they provide to our economy, health, climate, environmental justice, and national security.

Learn more about the first National Nature Assessment: https://bit.ly/44i9n43

Congratulations, Dr. Ellen!

Ducks Unlimited supports the Biden Administration’s expanded efforts to conserve and restore wetlands under its new “The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge: A Partnership to Conserve and Restore America’s Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands."

"This effort represents a renewed energy and focus toward conserving North America’s critical wetland ecosystems for the next generation," said DU CEO Adam Putnam. "Conserving 8 million acres of wetlands is an ambitious statement of intent – and one that DU and our partners in the conservation and agriculture communities are eager to work alongside the Administration to accomplish."

Biden Administration sets national goal supporting wetlands | Ducks Unlimited New challenge aims to conserve America’s wetlands, other waterways

The grant will aid DU's Flyway Forests program in the restoration of bottomland hardwood forests and wildlife habitat on private lands in the lower Mississippi River valley, tributaries, and adjacent counties.

Ducks Unlimited Receives $10 Million for Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration Efforts | Ducks Unlimited The grant will aid DU's Flyway Forests program in the restoration of bottomland hardwood forests and wildlife habitat on private lands in the lower Mississippi River valley, tributaries and adjacent counties.

New Infrastructure grant will help partnering organizations restore floodplains and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities along the lower Mississippi River.

DU, MRCTI and partners celebrate $16 million to boost wetlands and outdoor recreation | Ducks Unlimited New Infrastructure grant will help partnering organizations restore floodplains and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities along the lower Mississippi River