Ducks Unlimited

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Ducks Unlimited
Founders	Joseph Knapp
Type	Wildlife Conservation
Founded	1936
Headquarters	Memphis, Tennessee
Staff	Bruce Lewis President Don A. Young Executive Vice President
Area served	North America
Volunteers	40,000
Members	775,000
Slogan	Conservation Today, Wetlands for Tomorrow
Website	http://www.ducks.org/

Ducks Unlimited is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. It currently has approximately 775,000 members, mostly in the United States and Canada.^[1]

Introduction

Ducks Unlimited (DU) was founded by Joseph Knapp on January 29, 1937 in the United States as a result of concern by himself and other like-minded influential business people about the loss of wetlands as habitat for waterfowl and the impact this would have on waterfowl hunting.^[2]

Ducks Unlimited was established in Canada in 1938. Other chapters have since begun operation in Latin America, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia.^[3]

DU has become a leader in habitat preservation and has conserved more than 11.6 million acres (46,900 km²) of waterfowl habitat in North America. DU partners with a wide range of corporations, governments, other NGO's, landowners, and private citizens to restore and manage areas that have been damaged and to prevent further degradation of existing wetlands. DU is also active in working with others to recommend government policies that will positively influence wetlands and the environment. DU generates $200M in revenues each year, 87% of which goes directly towards habitat conservation. Their sources of revenue include Federal and State habitat reimbursements (32%), conservation easements (27%), sponsors and members (25%), major gifts and donations (11%) and royalties/advertisement (5%). By its efforts DU attempts to benefit biodiversity, water quality, the environment, and the economy in the areas in which it is active.

Ducks Unlimited, in keeping with its founders intentions, also promotes the continuation of safe and regulated waterfowl hunting. The majority of DU's financial contributors and members are waterfowl hunters. And over ninety percent of those who read DU magazine are hunters. The DU magazine contains many historical and practical articles on waterfowl hunting, and it obtains revenue from advertisements of waterfowling equipment such as shotguns, ammunition, decoys, and bird calls.

Conservation

Traditionally, most DU wetland conservation projects were conducted in the Canadian prairies by its subsidiary, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). DUC has however expanded its operations to include projects in every Canadian province and territory. As of 2007, DUC has conserved 51,000 km² (12.5 million acres) of wetland habitat, while working in partnership with 17,200 landowners. DU has also expanded its operations to include many conservation projects in the United States, including the restoration of duck breeding habitat, mostly in the northern central states; and also duck overwintering habitat, mostly in the coastal and southern states and in Mexico.

Methods

Ducks Unlimited places strong emphasis on its belief in science and research. They work closely with biologists and ecologists to evaluate habitat needs and to monitor how birds respond to various environmental changes. Some of the methods used by Ducks Unlimited to conserve habitats are:

Restoring Grasslands

grasslands are used to protect waterfowl from predators and serve as a natural concealment for nests.

Replanting Forests

80% of forested land has been cleared and natural flooding has been reduced by 50 – 90%.

Restoring Watersheds

when watersheds are disturbed, contaminants wash into wetlands and disrupt the plants, fish and animals. DU utilizes buffer strips to protect stream corridors and filter contaminants out.

Educating Landowners

promoting economic viability while being conservative of resources. An example is the planting of winter wheat, which is planted in the fall and undisturbed while ducks are nesting in fields.

Conservation Easements

areas of land purchased by DU from private landowners. The land owner maintains actual ownership of the land, but agrees to never drain, fill, level or burn it. Since 75% of U.S. wetlands are on private property, conservation easements play a crucial role in the conservation movement.

Acquiring Land

the direct purchase of wetlands

Ducks Unlimited is also working closely with U.S. Congress, the Administration, conservation leaders, private landowners and farmers to ensure that environmental provisions are contained in the 2007 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill supports programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).

Regions of Special Interest

Ducks Unlimited funds are utilized to conserve and protect areas where habitats are either disappearing or in danger of disappearing. The following areas are considered to be the three most endangered in North America and are at the top of DU's priority list:

Prairie Pothole Region

Over 10,000 years ago, melting glaciers created millions of depressions in the land throughout what is now the Great Plains of North America. These depressions hold water and grasses and constitute wetland habitat for millions of migratory ducks and geese. Increased agricultural development has caused these wetlands to drain, resulting in the disappearance of 194,000 acres (785 km²) since 1984. DU relies heavily on conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region to counteract habitat losses, and plans to protect an additional 150,000 acres (607 km²) through land acquisitions. The Prairie Pothole Region is the most threatened of the twenty-five waterfowl habits on the continent.

Central Valley/Coastal California

This area spans from San Francisco to Northern Mexico and constitutes habitat for 60% of the Pacific Flyway’s wintering waterfowl. Rapid urbanization and water shortages have been contributing factors in the loss of habitat in this area. The Central Valley/Coastal California region is considered number two of the twenty five most threatened waterfowl habitats on the continent.

Western Boreal Forest – Canada

The world’s largest land-based ecosystem, the Western Boreal Forest covers two thirds of Canada and contains a quarter of the world’s remaining original forests. Millions of migratory birds breed here, including 40% of the regional duck population. Habitats have been damaged by overdevelopment, agriculture, climate changes, dams and oil and mineral extractions. In 1997, DU founded the Western Boreal Forest Initiative aimed at conserving wetlands and habitats.

Sporting Conservation Council

In March 2006, the United States Department of the Interior announced the formation of the Sporting Conservation Council. The council will provide input in regards to forest health, habitat restoration/protection and the impact of energy development on wildlife resources. As explained by Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton, “dating back to Teddy Roosevelt, hunters have been the pillar of conservation in America, doing more than anyone to conserve wildlife and its habitat. This new advisory council will provide a formal mechanism for the department to benefit from the expertise of sportsmen and women as well as become aware of their concerns as we develop federal policies.” The council is made up of representatives from various hunting groups, including the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association.

Criticism

Ducks Unlimited was founded by waterfowl hunters intent on preserving their recreational interests, and remains to this day a pro-hunting organization. Some other environmental groups and anti-hunting lobbyists have consequently had a historically difficult relationship with DU. These groups accuse DU of simply breeding ducks to be shot. Supporters counter that many species live in the habitat restored and protected by DU dollars, not just game birds, and DU continues to complete many more successful conservation projects than do its detractors. Furthermore, supporters contend it would be unrealistic to expect that the money for wetland conservation would be forthcoming if waterfowl had no recreational value to hunters.

Difficulties came to a head in the 1980s when DU Canada proceeded to construct their national headquarters on the shore of Oak Hammock Marsh, a critical wildlife habitat. Critics said that the traffic and noise associated with the building would disrupt the wildlife. However, the marsh is not a natural one, and was in fact recreated out of marginal farmland by Ducks Unlimited themselves. And the building is also an education and interpretive center, introducing many school children and adults to the ecology of the marsh habitat. The wildlife have also gotten used to the building and its people, as its roof has become a popular nesting spot and deer frequent the grounds.

References

External links

• Ducks Unlimited
• Ducks Unlimited Canada