Major Gifts and Gift Planning
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held on Horicon Marsh Project
On August 20, a dedicated group of DU volunteers and supporters attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the 310-acre Chaya Marsh project on the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area in Wisconsin. Horicon Marsh spans nearly 32,000 acres and has been designated a wetland of international importance and a globally important bird area. Over time, areas of this famed marsh have been degraded by a variety of factors, including nutrient and sediment inputs from surrounding watersheds and poor water-level management. Ducks Unlimited and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with four private local groups, have raised necessary funds to help reverse historic degradation by implementing a new flowage on the northwest portion of the marsh, constructing and renovating 17,000 feet of dike, and installing new water-control structures. Partners in this project are the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; North American Wetlands Conservation Council; Charles and Shirley Pechous Family Foundation; Ted and Grace Bachhuber Foundation, Inc.; Marshall & Ilsley Foundation, Inc.; and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.
Upon completion of the project in spring 2007, this site will provide critical habitat for a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, furbearers, amphibians, and reptiles.
Ducks Unlimited Volunteers Shine at Louisiana State Convention
Louisiana volunteers showed their support for Ducks Unlimited in a big way at their 2005 state convention held July 28-31 at the Historic Fairmont Hotel in downtown New Orleans. At the convention chaired by Mike Benge, enthusiastic volunteers signed up eight new Life Sponsors and nine new Feather Society commitments. DU’s newest Major Sponsors are Ricky and Lisa Atchison of Lake Charles (Life Sponsors); Kelly C. Billiot of Schriever (Silver Feather Society); Randy and Megan Broughton of Homer (Life Sponsors); Mark and Carolyn Callais of Marrero (Life Sponsors); Linda and Philip Callais Jr. of Gray (Life Sponsors and Silver Feather Society); Dawn and Richard Cole Jr. of Sulphur (Life Sponsors); Meredith and J. Peter Labouisse III of New Orleans (Silver Feather Society); J. Stephen Lanier III of Metairie (Silver Feather Society); Dr. Pamela S. Mitchell (Silver Feather Society); John and Monica Shirley of Ruston (Life Sponsors and Gold Feather Society); Bradley and Laura Smith of Pine Grove (Silver Feather Society); Scott and Phyllis Veronie of Houma (Life Sponsors); and Todd and Ginger White of West Monroe (Life Sponsors and Silver Feather Society). In addition to these new Major Sponsor commitments, two couples were recognized for completing their Major Sponsor pledges.
Shortly after the highly successful Louisiana State Convention, hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the Gulf Coast. In the wake of these destructive storms, DU has pledged $15 million to restore and protect coastal wetlands in Louisiana. This pledge is the focal point of DU’s new Louisiana Coastal Restoration Initiative that aims to restore 52,000 acres along the Louisiana coast by 2008.
Recent media reports have brought greater public attention to the key role wetlands play in lessening the effects of hurricanes on coastal communities. As a general rule, one mile of coastal marsh can reduce a storm surge by one foot. The impacts from the record 29-foot storm surge that hit Louisiana during Katrina were likely exacerbated by extensive losses of coastal wetlands in the region. DU staff, volunteers, and donors will continue to pursue DU’s mission of conserving, restoring, and protecting these wetlands for waterfowl, other wildlife, and, of course, people.
Nicholson Waterfowl Production Area Honors Dedication of Lifelong Volunteers
Heritage Sponsors John and Donna Pittenger have served as Ducks Unlimited volunteers for more than three decades. On June 11 and 12, their service and philanthropy were honored at both a tribute event and project dedication held near their hometown of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Tribute-event gifts made by DU volunteers and friends of John and Donna will support DU’s Living Lakes Conservation Initiative.
Launched in July 2004, the Living Lakes Conservation Initiative provides improved waterfowl migration habitat by enhancing, protecting, and restoring shallow lakes throughout Minnesota and Iowa. DU has pledged to raise $10 million in private funding by 2014 for this crucial initiative. The Nicholson Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) DU project, located in Ottertail County, is an excellent example of the initiative’s focus. The Nicholson WPA was dedicated in honor of the Pittengers, who were surrounded by friends and family.
Both John and Donna serve DU on local, state (Illinois and Minnesota), national, and international (DU Canada) boards and committees. John’s past appointments include: state chairman and council member; regional vice president; national Development Committee member; and at-large member of DU’s board of directors. Donna has founded and chaired local chapters; served as an at-large member of DU’s board of directors; and participated on several national committees—in both DU and DU Canada—including the Membership/Volunteer Relations and Youth & Education committees. Currently, John and Donna serve on DU’s Emeritus Board of Directors, on which John is vice chairman.
DU is proud of the volunteer and philanthropic example set by the Pittengers and would like to thank them for their continued dedication in support of DU’s mission. DU would also like to acknowledge the many Major Donors who expressed their commitment through the Pittenger Tribute event: Jim and Pat Ainslie; Les and Bette Bensch; John and Timmie Clemetsen; Custom Art Concepts, Inc.; Jim and Carol Demgen; Mike and Cari Evavold; Connie Evenson; Donald and Lucille Foecking; Charles and Jan Hoffer; Mark and Carol Hoffer; Jim and Jean Hulbert; Denny and Kathy Johnson; Andrew Karnes; Katie Karnes; Debra and Dr. Mack Karnes; Tom and Pat Kingston; Jim and Julie Klapmeier; Russell and Deanna Klint; James and Sue Konkel; Susie Konkel; Danny E. Kvenvolden; Roseada and L.J. Mayeux Jr., M.D.; Bert and Judy Metz; Joe and Kay Miller; David and Tudy Nycklemoe; Gerald Palmer; Jim and June Pittenger; Jerry Raedeke; Ray and Melissa Rogers; Craig and Janelle Scheidecker; Bob and Rita Sundberg; Dan and Ann Felice Thiel; Charlie and Betty Thomas; John Tomke; Kristin and Dennis Tuel Jr.; Rodney J. and Erin Newman Votava; and Tom and Sue Waldbuesser.
Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock Pledge Continued Support for Wetlands for the 21st Century
Diamond Legacy Sponsors Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, recently pledged an additional $600,000 in support of waterfowl and conservation work in the Great Lakes region through DU’s Wetlands for the 21st Century program. This effort restores and enhances critical wetland habitats in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan—the four states surrounding lower Lake Michigan.
Wetlands for the 21st Century focuses on a unique area that includes one of the most heavily developed and populated coastlines in the Great Lakes watershed; yet this area continues to support and provide habitat for many species of waterfowl and other wildlife. These habitats are used by breeding mallards, blue-winged teal, and wood ducks, as well as migrating mallards, wood ducks, canvasbacks, redheads, scaup, and Canada geese. Thanks to the generous support of Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock, DU is a leader in habitat conservation in this region. An initial $2 million gift in 1997, pledged by the Buntrocks and Waste Management, Inc., established the Wetlands for the 21st Century program.
In addition to their generous philanthropic support, the Buntrocks have been active DU volunteers for more than two decades. Rosemarie has served DU as a member of the Wetlands America Trust board since 1994, and Dean serves as an Honorary Trustee. Ducks Unlimited thanks the Buntrocks for their continued leadership and support for this critical Great Lakes wetlands restoration program.
DU Dedicates Iowa Wetland Honoring the Charles F. Heick Family
On September 7, the Heick Family Pleasant Lake Reserve near Spirit Lake, Iowa, was dedicated in honor of DU Benefactors Barbara and Charles F. “Chuck” Heick. This spot holds special significance to Chuck, who spent much of his youth near Pleasant Lake. “It is most gratifying to restore and conserve a part of our wetland and waterfowl heritage, and to be able to leave it for our kids and grandkids,” Chuck Heick said. The reserve is a component of an Iowa Department of Natural Resources Bird Conservation Area and DU’s recently launched Living Lakes Initiative.
Give to DU Now and Save on Your Taxes
On September 23, President Bush signed into law the Katrina Tax Relief Package after its unanimous passage by the House and Senate. You may not think this applies to you, but it does. This “tax relief package” may provide additional tax benefits for all philanthropically minded individuals.
Basically, this bill designates that gifts made to any public charity, like Ducks Unlimited, are fully deductible up to 100 percent of your income (rather than the normal 50 percent AGI limitation). Several gift vehicles qualify for the tax break including gifts from a 401(k) or a 403(b) plan, gifts from IRA’s and other retirement vehicles, and, of course, gifts of cash.
There are some exclusions in the Tax Relief Package:
• Gifts must be made between August 28 and December 31, 2005;
• Gifts cannot be made from a private foundation, supporting organization, or donor-advised fund; and
• Gifts of property, such as stock or land, do not qualify.
If you have questions about how you can make an amazing gift to Ducks Unlimited, please call Jon Rich, director of gift planning, at 800-453-8257 or visit our Web site at www.ducksgift.org. As always, consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your gifts.