Insights

By Don Young, Executive Vice President
The Challenge Continues Waterfowl numbers are up, but much work remains to be done

A warm fall, resulting in a protracted migration, deprived many Ducks Unlimited supporters from witnessing a spectacular grand passage. Perhaps the season will be best remembered as bittersweet. Regardless of your personal experience, as a dedicated conservationist, you should take comfort in knowing that a record number of waterfowl eventually migrated from their breeding grounds.

The dramatic waterfowl population increases that we have observed during the past six years bear testament that ducks, given good water conditions and adequate nesting cover, have the biological potential to rebound. I think that all Ducks Unlimited supporters should be proud of the role that they have played in providing improved habitat across the continent. But now is not the time to become complacent.

North America continues to lose wetlands, upland nesting acreage, and other critical habitats at a rate that is much too high. Waterfowl species such as the pintail, lesser scaup, and black duck, as well as sea ducks, lesser snow geese, and Ross' geese all generate concern, albeit for diverse reasons. Ducks Unlimited will continue to seek solutions to these problems and address others that impact the waterfowl resource and other wildlife.

Ducks Unlimited's approach to habitat is at a landscape level. We are continuing to develop new ways of working with individual, corporate, and agency landowners to conserve and manage these landscapes.

Currently, we are also impressing on policy makers that they need to think about wildlife when the time comes to pass laws and regulations. It is imperative that we continue in this direction. The natural cycles of drought will someday return to the prairies.

Remember that none of Ducks Unlimited's work would be possible without you, the DU member. You are the lifeblood of this organization, the force that has underwritten conservation success stories for more than 60 years. Introduce a friend or family member to the DU flock this year. Continue to help make a difference.