Insights - Capital Opportunities
By Don Young, Executive Vice President
Increased funding from Washington could mean new hope for wildlife . . . with your help
Sometimes opportunity knocks very quietly. Other times, it breaks down the door. Recent legislative action in Washington, D.C., is leading to conservation opportunities of the latter variety. And with your help, we can capitalize on this unique chance to make a real difference for waterfowl and their habitats.
One of the most innovative and effective government conservation programs is NAWCA (the North American Wetlands Conservation Act). This unique "matching" program makes millions of dollars available for wetland habitat restoration and protection work. But here's the catch: Before each dollar of NAWCA funds can be spent on conservation, it must be matched by a dollar from individuals, corporations, state agencies, or private organizations like Ducks Unlimited.
In just over a decade of existence, NAWCA funding has already helped restore more than 4.5 million acres of critical wildlife habitat in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For waterfowl hunters and other conservationists, and for anyone who cares about the health of our environment, this has to be one of the best and most efficient uses of taxpayer money ever.
This year, with urging from DU's Governmental Affairs office in Washington, D.C., Congress has appropriated $40 million for NAWCA projects across the continent-a huge increase of $25 million over last year's appropriations. This represents a real commitment from our government to restore North America's wetlands. It also represents a great opportunity and a great challenge for Ducks Unlimited.
What does this mean for the DU member? This means that every dollar you give to DU could be transformed into two dollars through a NAWCA match. Talk about a great return on your conservation investment! Through your membership dues, sponsor contributions, event proceeds, and other support, you supply DU with the money that "primes the pump" for these matching funds. The more money we raise, the more money we can garner from NAWCA and other programs to fund our habitat work.
In addition, your voice plays a big part in determining annual funding of government conservation programs. Contacting your elected representatives in Washington throughout the year, letting them know how important programs like NAWCA are to you and to wildlife, is one of the best ways to make sure we will continue to see benefits from these kinds of programs in the future.
And contacting your representatives in Congress about conservation legislation has never been easier. For those without internet access, a call to DU's Governmental Affairs office in Washington at 202-347-1530 will get you on the right track.
Our wildlife resources are facing more threats than ever. Your continued support is helping Ducks Unlimited combat habitat loss and other challenges. But, despite DU's impressive accomplishments, we are still losing more habitat across the continent than we are putting back.
It's time to find new ways to do more-to find new ways to make a difference. Today, an important opportunity from Washington is knocking loudly on our door. Please help us open the door and invite this opportunity in.
