Insights

By Don Young, Executive Vice President

BUILDING UPON SUCCESS

Following a strong performance during the past year, DU is now working toward even more ambitious goals

Ducks Unlimited thrives on challenges and meeting or exceeding our objectives. In this issue, you will see two features that reflect on this spirit of achievement. First, DU’s Annual Report highlights our accomplishments for the recently completed fiscal year (ending June 30). Now that our external auditors have provided an independent, third party validation of our numbers, we can report to you that this was an outstanding year indeed, by almost any measure.

Last year represented a record year for DU in terms of total revenue, net revenue, conservation program delivery, and conservation easements. We also once again raised the bar for overall efficiency, investing 86 percent of our total revenue in our conservation mission. Furthermore, in a year when much of the nation was still recovering from recession, we beat our budget with respect to grassroots fundraising, and continued to strengthen our balance sheet. These accomplishments are all good indicators of a well-run organization that continues to focus on long-term success.

However, like any successful organization, we’re not content to rest on our laurels, and we have set lofty new goals for the current fiscal year. Beyond continuing our ambitious efforts in the above-mentioned areas, we are placing particular focus on volunteer recruitment. These dedicated individuals, who contribute their time, talent, and energy to lead DU events, are the key to our membership growth efforts. Every new member gives us greater influence in public policy issues that are critical to our mission, including debates over federal wetland protection rules and federal conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve Program.

Another key organizational priority for DU is a heightened commitment to customer service. Recent unveiling of sophisticated technology will allow us to communicate with you—our valued volunteers and members—more quickly, effectively, and frequently. Look for new developments in this area on an ongoing basis.

And speaking of members, this issue features another explicit example of DU’s commitment to recruiting the next generation of waterfowl hunters and conservation leaders. Earlier this year, we published Young Hunters’ Guide to Waterfowling and Conservation, which is quickly becoming the standard reference manual for introducing young hunters to the traditions and techniques of waterfowling. This month, we’re providing you with a sneak preview of a just-released Ducks Unlimited book targeted at the new generation of duck hunters. Appropriately, we’ve titled this book Generation DUX. This fun-filled book appeals to and celebrates the no-holds-barred attitudes and adventures of young waterfowl hunters. We think this will be a great Christmas stocking stuffer for these “young guns” from their parents and grandparents. Generation DUX follows on the heels of DU’s highly popular Misery Loves Company book about zany waterfowl hunting experiences that has been the best-selling hunting title in America during the past two years.

As we all know, the key to long-term success for any organization or company is to recruit and sustain our customers, and in our case, these include volunteers and members. At Ducks Unlimited, you are seeing and will continue to see a core commitment to this priority. Whether you’re a “young gun” or an “older gun,” a new waterfowl and wetlands conservation supporter or an experienced one, we welcome all participants to the DU team. After all, it’s up to all of us if we are going to make a difference in conserving the precious wetland habitats and the waterfowling traditions we cherish and celebrate.

Enjoy your fall and winter, and thank you for your support!