Insights

By Don Young, Executive Vice President
Research and Evaluation Crucial for Waterfowl

As we forge into the Year 2000 and beyond, Ducks Unlimited is committed to the application of business principles that include strategic planning, experimentation, and evaluation of its conservation and fund-raising programs.

Only through such a disciplined approach can we hope to succeed in a complex and ever-changing physical and social operating environment.

We must be analytical, yet quick to recognize potential problems, and flexible enough to adjust our strategies accordingly. The challenges we face today are often multifaceted. Those that lie ahead will be no less formidable. And we know that we must continue to expand the scope of our expertise, and our influence among both public and private sector partners.

While waterfowl habitat conservation has always been Ducks Unlimited's specialty, the goal of creating an overall healthier environment looms large in our future.

Flourishing wetlands-which improve water quality, retain floodwaters, reduce soil erosion, and recharge groundwater supplies, to name a few accompanying benefits of these environs-are significant outcomes of our work beyond the more obvious benefits to ducks, geese, and hundreds of wildlife species.

You can be assured that Ducks Unlimited will continue to focus on waterfowl and wetland habitat. However, you can also count on the vision and breadth of our conservation programs continuing to grow.

Furthermore, you can anticipate that our base of support will grow as the benefits of our work become more broadly communicated. My pledge is for Ducks Unlimited to work smarter, elevate an already high level of efficiency, and put all of our resources into programs that will provide the most benefits for waterfowl, wetlands, and people. Your continued support will indeed make a difference.