Major Gifts & Planning
Caterpillar Inc. Supports Wetland Restoration in the Illinois River Watershed
Caterpillar Inc. of Peoria , Illinois , recently donated $120,000 for Ducks Unlimited's Illinois River Wetland Partnership. The gift will help support DU's wetland conservation work in the Illinois River watershed over the next three years. Caterpillar and DU have a history of working together in this area. Last year, the Wildlife Management Institute presented DU and Caterpillar with the prestigious Touchstone Award in recognition of their past collaborative efforts to restore Illinois River habitat.
“The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to be a supporter of Ducks Unlimited's wetland conservation work in the Illinois River basin ,” said Henry Holling, social responsibility initiatives manager. “We look forward to working with DU on future projects that benefit both wildlife and people in our community.”
The Illinois River is a principal migration corridor for waterfowl in the Mississippi Flyway. DU's habitat conservation accomplishments along the Illinois River are extensive, and projects are located in every county from Starved Rock to Alton . Projects in the Peoria area include Weis Lake , Duck Ranch, Spring Lake Bottoms, and, most recently, Wightman Lake .
Since 2000, DU and its partners have invested more than $7 million in wetland conservation work within the Illinois River watershed. DU has determined that another $1.8 million will be required to meet immediate wetland conservation needs in the Illinois River valley.
Shell Oil Partners with DU to Support Delta Splays Project in Louisiana
Ducks Unlimited received a $100,000 grant from the Shell Oil Company to help fund restoration of critical wetlands in Louisiana . DU's Delta Splays project will restore 1,300 acres of wetlands in the Pass-A-Loutre Wildlife Management Area/Mississippi River Delta Crevasse Splays. Other project partners include the Breaux Act , Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Shell's $100,000 grant will help fund efforts to open the natural levee in the area to foster sediment accretion and build wetlands that are extremely valuable to wildlife. The net result is more foraging habitat for waterfowl, improved fisheries, better birding, and a healthier coastal ecosystem.
President of Shell Oil Company and U.S. Country Chair John Hofmeister said, “Shell has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection, and we are proud to be a supporter of Ducks Unlimited's wetlands conservation work along the Mississippi River Delta. The preservation of Louisiana 's ecosystem and coastline is very important to Shell, our customers and the communities where we operate, and our approximately 4,000 employees who live and work in the region.”
North Fork Bank and Kanas Family Foundation Support DU's Black Duck Research
North Fork Bank and the John and Elaine Kanas Family Foundation, both of Melville , New York , recently donated $50,000 to support DU's study of black ducks on Long Island . This research will enable DU to help provide a more secure future for the black duck by identifying some of the most important habitats used by the birds in the Atlantic Flyway.
John Adam Kanas, president and CEO of North Fork Bank, said, “We are once again glad to participate with Ducks Unlimited to help further their mission by supporting this most important research project. This will allow the world's leader in wetlands conservation to effectively deliver habitat conservation programs throughout the area.”
Black ducks have suffered serious population declines in parts of their wintering range. In the Long Island area, however, wintering and spring populations of the birds have remained relatively stable, presenting an ideal opportunity to study both the habitat- and food- resource needs of black ducks. In November, DU and its partners began attaching radio transmitters to black ducks, thereby enabling researchers to follow the birds throughout the area from early fall through their departure in early spring.
This is North Fork Bank's second commitment to DU's Long Island-based programs. In 1997, North Fork gave $100,000 to support the Long Island Wetlands Conservation Initiative. DU is proud of this partnership and the conservation gains we are making together.
Bernie and Pat Seyller Become Platinum Feather Society Members
Bernie and Pat Seyller, of Wildwood, Missouri , recently became Platinum Feather Society members by generously including Ducks Unlimited in their estate plans. Members of the Platinum Feather Society are those who have made planned gifts to Ducks Unlimited of between $500,000 and $999,999.
The Seyllers are dedicated to protecting the natural areas they enjoy. Explaining their gift, Bernie said, “We've been blessed with the legacy of wonderful resources to pursue one of our passions, hunting ducks and geese. Life's lessons through our parents and Ducks Unlimited have taught us to share that privilege for generations to come.”
Pat and Bernie Seyller have been supporters of Ducks Unlimited since 1990. In 2003, they established a Life Sponsorship in memory of David “Mac” McIntire, Pat's father, who was an avid sportsman, as are the Seyllers.
Henry Trione Establishes Charitable Remainder Trust for DU
Prominent California businessman and community leader Henry F. Trione recently set up a charitable remainder trust in the amount of $250,000 for Ducks Unlimited, qualifying him as an Emerald Feather Society member. Trione, a DU Life Sponsor and a supporter for more than four decades, stated, “Ducks Unlimited has done and is still doing so much in habitat preservation. To us, it is an excellent way to reflect our support.”
Trione and his trustees will receive income from the gift for the remainder of their lives. Upon Trione's death, the trust's assets will come to DU to support DU's conservation mission.
Founder and past president of Sonoma Mortgage Corporation and former chairman and owner of Geyser Peak Winery, Trione is recognized for his extensive philanthropic support of the environment and other worthy causes. Trione has been recognized both nationally and internationally for his numerous achievements, including the Alex de Toqueville Award for outstanding community leadership, “Best Wines,” and the Lone Sailor Award for his support of the Navy community.
An active sportsman, Trione hunts in the Butte Sink and is part owner of the Tule Goose Duck Club. DU is grateful to Henry Trione for continuing his generous support.