Insights

By Don Young, Executive Vice President

Many Happy Returns

The end of the year is always a good time for reflection. Many of us are already reminiscing about another season in the field and taking stock of good times spent with family and friends in the outdoors.

At the same time, some of us are reviewing more mundane matters from the past year—like the performance of our investment portfolios. If you are like most people, your results from this year’s investments have been mixed, at best. So reviewing your portfolio and investing wisely are more important now than ever

I would also urge you to take some time to review your investments in conservation.

DU’s habitat work pays great dividends on your conservation investments

As you assess your commitment to DU or any other conservation group, or as you approach others to do the same, consider asking the following questions:

Has your conservation organization . . .

. . . delivered pragmatic, collaborative on-the-ground habitat conservation work across North America for more than 65 years?

. . . maintained its historic commitment to waterfowl and wetland conservation and support for waterfowl hunting?

. . . conserved almost 11 million acres of wetlands and other critical wildlife habitat in every Canadian province and all 50 U.S. states, as well as in key areas in Mexico and Latin America? 

. . . regularly spent more than 83 percent of its revenue directly on conservation programs?

. . . used your contributions to leverage additional funds for conservation? Does every dollar you contribute generate an additional six matching dollars from foundations, corporations, and government agencies?

. . . delivered its conservation work in a cooperative, non-confrontational manner with a myriad of partners, especially private landowners?

. . . played a leadership role in key public policy arenas to secure vital conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program in the U.S. and similar new cover program initiatives in Canada?

. . . rallied a force of 70,000 unpaid volunteers to generously lead its grassroots fundraising?

Has your conservation organization . . .

. . . been described by President Bush as “the model by which conservation should be delivered in America?”

. . . produced a world-class bimonthly magazine with a readership of more than 3 million people; a weekly television show seen by hundreds of thousands; and a nationwide, daily outdoors-oriented radio program airing on more than 300 radio stations—all of which celebrate waterfowl hunting and conservation?

. . . been endorsed through hundreds of consumer products co-branded with prominent partners such as Budweiser, MBNA Bank, Advantage Camo, Winchester Ammunition, and more than 70 other partners?

. . . developed an international strategic plan for conservation based on the most up-to-date scientific research, high-tech habitat inventory techniques, and computer modeling?

. . . maintained an outdoors youth program that includes waterfowl hunting education, duck banding, bird identification, and conservation initiatives?

. . . established an international youth and education program that includes school curricula for teachers and children from grade school through high school?

. . . maintained a nationally recognized Web site attracting 250,000 visitors a month and communicating Ducks Unlimited’s conservation work and commitment to waterfowling?

. . . assembled a staff of conservation professionals that includes the world’s leading authorities on waterfowl biology, wetland ecosystems, and environmental engineering?

. . . gained the support of more than 1 million people?

Of course, if the organization you’re looking at is Ducks Unlimited, all the answers are “Yes.”

I am sure this review of DU’s conservation portfolio has revealed that your investment in Ducks Unlimited has not only been gratifying, but has also provided a great rate of return. Let’s use these facts to retain and attract other conservation investors for Ducks Unlimited. 

Thank you again for supporting Ducks Unlimited’s vital conservation work and for your continuing enjoyment of and commitment to the outdoors.