Insights

By Don Young, Executive Vice President

Staying Connected

Ducks Unlimited supporters are interested in waterfowl year-round. If you are like many of us, thoughts of last hunting season still linger. I occasionally download the highlights from my memory banks whenever I need a diversion. But the matters of today and tomorrow tend to take precedence, so I actively seek ways to stay engaged before the advent of fall. This issue of Ducks Unlimited magazine contains two feature stories that might help us do just that.

Duck hunters are always looking for an edge. We are either repairing gear suffering from the trials of last season, searching for the latest and greatest equipment, refining our shooting skills, or developing ideas on hunting locations. “Year-Round Waterfowler” on page 64 lays out an array of opportunities to keep you sharp, challenged, prepared, and stimulated during the long off-season.

The second feature, “A Brighter Future For Great Lakes Mallards,” is timely as we begin to cast our eyes north in anticipation of the breeding season, the beginning of the annual waterfowl life cycle. Written by DU research scientist Dr. Tina Yerkes, this story explores an often overlooked region that produces a surprisingly large number of waterfowl: the Great Lakes states. Research has taught us that one size does not fit all. For some time, waterfowl biologists thought the factors influencing breeding success were likely similar regardless of location. But led by rigorous science, DU researchers have determined that habitat factors influencing nest success in the Great Lakes region are markedly different from those in the prairies. This is significant for focusing and shaping DU's conservation programs. Our ultimate commitment to DU supporters is to deliver the best conservation solutions in the most cost-effective manner.

There are a couple of additional ways you can stay active in the off-season that can help us address conservation challenges, whether in the Great Lakes region, on the prairies, or along coastal wetlands. You can start by encouraging a friend, business acquaintance, or family member to join Ducks Unlimited. You can take immediate satisfaction in knowing that you brought another member into the DU fraternity. From a more pragmatic perspective, more DU members mean more dollars for conservation. And more members mean greater attractiveness for Ducks Unlimited magazine advertisers and for our licensed-product sponsors, both of which help generate additional funding for conservation. The stronger political influence that accompanies a larger DU membership is also vitally important as we work with legislators to develop public policy with crucial conservation content, such as the Conservation Reserve Program or the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, to name just two.

While we value every existing and new DU member, we particularly cherish our volunteers. We understand the incredible link between more volunteers and more members and all of the resultant benefits described above. In the face of urgent and growing conservation needs, that's why we are placing more emphasis on volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition than at any time in our almost-70-year history. There is no better way for an individual to positively impact the future of waterfowling than to become a DU volunteer, and there's no better time than right now to volunteer. Your efforts will result in increased members and revenue, which in turn will directly benefit the ducks.

Next time we meet in this magazine, we will have a better sense of how this year's duck-breeding success is shaping up. In the meantime, let's keep our fingers crossed for a wet spring, the principal determinant of waterfowl production in areas where habitat remains intact. Have a great spring and summer. I hope to see you at a DU event as a member or volunteer.