Insights - Preserving Our Waterfowling Heritage
By Don Young, Executive Vice President
I am privileged to attend many DU gatherings over the course of a year, but my favorite is the Ducks Unlimited International Convention. This is an extraordinary event because it brings together DU supporters from all over North America. And the resultant mix generates energy, enthusiasm, and the interchange of ideas that help fuel Ducks Unlimited’s vitality.
This year we celebrated Ducks Unlimited’s 70th anniversary in Anchorage, Alaska. And true to
form, more than 1,100 volunteers and members rallied in support of wetlands and waterfowl conservation and waterfowl hunting. There is strength in numbers, and the message that resonated at the convention in late May was that of solidarity and commitment to our organization’s noble mission. Ducks Unlimited members are people who care, and believe in helping to make a difference.
Volunteer leadership is crucial to Ducks Unlimited’s success—from the first-time committee member all the way up the ladder to the national president. Fortunately, DU has been blessed over the years to be represented by some of the most passionate individuals ever to become involved in conservation. This year we welcomed Bruce Lewis of Natchez, Mississippi, as the new DU president. He replaces Dr. James Hulbert, who is now DU chairman of the board.
Bruce, a strong proponent of preserving our nation’s waterfowling heritage, spoke eloquently about his convictions during his presidential acceptance speech. “DU is an organization that is full of tradition and should be the organization that is the gatekeeper of the waterfowling heritage,” he told an appreciative audience of fellow duck hunters. “We should respect the traditions of the past and guard the heritage as we continue into the future to fulfill our mission of filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever. Waterfowling and the waterfowler is what and who we are.”
Ducks Unlimited’s Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign status was the focus of Wetland America Trust President Jim Kennedy, who reported that approximately $800 million in gifts and pledges have been received thus far. That is nearly half the campaign’s goal. But much more remains to be done to help ensure that funding is available for important conservation programs now and in the future.
Volunteer leaders from many states were recognized during the annual awards ceremony. This portion of the program honors states and individuals who put forth extraordinary effort in respect to fundraising, membership recruitment, efficiency, and other important criteria that help DU create conservation success stories throughout North America.
Ducks Unlimited’s conservation programs are science-based and coordinated by some of the world’s finest waterfowl biologists. They also played an integral role at this year’s convention. Five members of our U.S. conservation team provided in-depth presentations on the most pressing issues facing waterfowl and wetlands today. Their reports were complemented by those covering DU Canada and DU de Mexico. Sharing this insight has become a popular component of this extraordinary event.
Throughout my stay in Anchorage, I spoke with many volunteers—some of whom are old friends and others who are relatively new to the DU flock. There is no other group with whom I would rather spend time. DU people are, quite simply, among the finest in the world. All of them left the convention full of energy and commitment to have even greater success and fun next year. Speaking of which, next year’s convention will be in Baltimore, and we hope to see you there.