Major Gifts and Gift Planning
Milford Marsh Dedicated in Alberta
Ducks Unlimited major sponsors and state officers from Oregon gathered in Alberta, Canada, on September 23, 2002, to dedicate the Milford Marsh Project. This project was a joint effort of DU, the Hutterian Brethren of Milford, St. Mary River Irrigation District, the Alberta provincial government, Canadian federal government, and the County of Warner Number 5.
The Milford Marsh Project site includes 155 acres of shallow and deep marsh wetlands and 126 acres of upland native grassland. Pintails, mallards, blue-winged teal, northern shovelers, wigeon, gadwalls, lesser scaup, and Canada geese will use this area for spring staging, breeding, and fall habitat areas. In addition, a myriad of other bird species and mammals, such as muskrats, white-tailed deer, mule deer, coyotes, rabbits, mice, and voles, are prevalent on the project.
Ducks Unlimited thanks these major sponsors and Oregon state officers for generously providing funding for this project.
Ducks Unlimited Pays Tribute to Fred Abraham
Fred Abraham, former director of conservation policy for DU, was honored at a tribute dinner on October 4, 2002. Friends, family, DU volunteers, and staff gathered in Canton, Ohio, to mark his retirement and celebrate Abraham's 23 years of service to Ducks Unlimited.
Abraham joined DU as a regional director in Ohio in 1978. He was subsequently promoted to senior regional director; then flyway operations supervisor for Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan; and, later, director of field operations in DU's Western Region. In 1995, Abraham became the director of conservation policy in Washington, D.C. His contributions to the successful passage of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Farm Bill will leave an indelible mark on wetlands, waterfowl, and wildlife across the continent.
A tribute to Abraham will be placed at the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, the largest inland marsh in Ohio, to recognize his commitment, guidance, and steadfast belief in the mission of Ducks Unlimited.
The tribute dinner committee was chaired by Don Rollins. The volunteer committee members were: John Bennett, Jared Brown, David Brunkhorst, Hazard Campbell, Mark Casper, William Colvin, Matt Connolly, Richard Cuneo, Billy DeJournett, Rich Farmer, Ed Gallaudet, Tom Graham, John Harris, Ken and Robbi Hiney, Lee Howley, Harry Knight, Roy Kohl, Jim Konkel, Susan Konkel, Ed Moxley, Harold Roe, Paul Stradtman, Julius Wall, Dave Waltz, John Waters, and Tim Williams.
Larry Wilson Honored by Ducks Unlimited
In recognition of Larry Wilson's exemplary service to Iowa's natural resources, Ducks Unlimited members and friends honored him at a tribute dinner on October 5, 2002, in Des Moines, Iowa. Wilson's 21-year career with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources included 14 years as its director. He leaves a legacy to the state through successful conservation programs like the Iowa REAP program, private lands outreach, and the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture.
Tribute dinner funds created the Larry Wilson Habitat Initiative: three projects that will be strategically located in different regions of Iowa to provide the best habitat for waterfowl, deer, pheasants, turkeys, and more than 600 species of other wildlife. The projects, funded by the Larry Wilson Habitat Initiative, are a fitting tribute to Larry's dedication and service to the wetlands, waterfowl, and the people of Iowa.
A special thanks is extended to the major sponsors who helped fund the initiative: Jim and Patty Cownie; Keith and Jo Anne Helland; Dr. Tim Kuntz; Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.; Tom and Jan Putnam; Ron and Susan Rensink; Drs. John and Suzanne Synhorst; and Winnebago Industries/Hanson Foundation.
Roaring Springs
DU supporters and staff recently had the chance to inspect DU's efforts to benefit ducks, other wildlife, and fish in southeastern Oregon when they toured the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Roaring Springs Ranch, where DU supporter Rob Sanders is enhancing his property for wildlife, cattle, and more. Jean and Jim Hulbert, DU's first vice president, arranged the tour for other DU volunteers and supporters from Washington state. Attending the event were Susan and Gary Loomis; Molly Bailey; Julia Veghte; John Bailey; Fred Taylor, north Pacific Flyway senior vice president; Nora Taylor, at-large board member; Alan Wentz, DU group manager of conservation programs; Benjamin and Bill Veghte; and Tom Dwyer, conservation director for the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Not pictured: Jean Hulbert; Jim Hulbert, first vice president; and Steve Donovan, Pacific Northwest regional biologist.
Estate Gift Honoring Snow Smart Brings More Than $300,000 to DU
In 1996, Mrs. Marjorie C. Smart of Heber Springs, Arkansas, established a charitable remainder annuity trust to provide current income for herself and ultimately a gift to DU in honor of her late husband, Snow Smart. Mr. Smart, who died in 1988, was an executive with the Marlin Firearms Company in Illinois and an avid sportsman committed to Ducks Unlimited.
When Mrs. Smart passed away in December 2002, the remaining assets became a gift to the endowment, which will support DU's conservation mission and honor a dedicated member in perpetuity.
Michigan Life Sponsors Dedicate Project
On September 30, 2002, more than 30 Ducks Unlimited major sponsors and volunteers gathered at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge near Saginaw, Michigan, for the Michigan Life Sponsor Project dedication. Thanks to Michigan's enthusiastic volunteers, five projects have conserved 912 acres of wetland habitat on this refuge since 1998. This dedication ceremony honored the financial support of dedicated Michigan major sponsors and the outstanding partnership for conservation between Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
DU Major Sponsors who contributed to the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge projects:
Edmund Martin Barbour, MD
Michael Robert Bauer
Greg Causley
Larry Cory
Bill G. DeJournett
Dow Chemical Company Foundation
The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation
Erle & Jeanne Etzel
Ronald J. Filipchuk
Vicki A. Filipchuk
Mr. & Mrs. David T. Floore
Robert W. Gembarski
The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation
David & Elizabeth Hohlfeldt
Addison Igleheart
Leonard & Sally Kauffman
Peter D. Kleinpell
Ernest A. Kuntze
Edward M. Land
Gary M. Lasko
Sheldon & Jean Laughlin
Dr. Rob Leach
N.A. Mans & Sons, Inc.
Jim & Carol Mason
Don Moore
Peter C. Niedbala
North American Wetlands Conservation Council
Robert Perrish
Tony & Bev Piper
Jeff Poet
Kevin & Janine Rinke
William & Linda Schlageter
DuWayne & Jean Schuler
Peter C. Smith, MD
Scott R. Smith, DDS
Jeffrey R. Sorensen
Mike & Carolyn Stahl
James B. & Judith A. Stewart
Terry S. Trasatti, Sr.
Wesley & Ginger Van Conet
John A. Warack
Young Family Foundation