Insights - Prime Time
by Don Young
Leaves changing color and falling, a chill in the air, college and professional football, and the advent of duck season—it’s prime time!
I just returned from an outstanding gathering of the Ducks Unlimited Inc., DU Canada, and DU Mexico boards of directors in the heart of the prairie duck factory—Saskatchewan. In conjunction with the board meetings, we also toured some key conservation-delivery areas. We had the opportunity to meet with private ranchers and farmers, municipal governments, and others partnering with Ducks Unlimited to achieve landscape-level conservation of waterfowl habitat. We saw how our partnerships with the cattle industry are leading to increased grassland acreage and improved grazing systems that result in enhanced production of cattle and ducks. We saw examples of hundreds of thousands of acres converted through DU’s leadership from spring-planted crops to winter wheat, which not only reduces input costs for farmers but also greatly enhances habitat for early-nesting ducks.
Our fall board meetings also provided an opportunity to kick-off the waterfowl season. I had the good fortune to hunt with both DU President Jim Hulbert and Chairman of the Board John Tomke. Both of these volunteer leaders bring passion and skill to the board room as well as to the duck blind. We had the pleasure of watching perfect prairie sunrises and skies filled with whirling flocks of ducks and geese—many with their feet down. And if that wasn’t enough, one of the drake mallards I shot was wearing jewelry. Through online access to the bird banding lab’s website (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/bblretrv/webrec.cfm), I was quickly able to determine that this was a three-year-old bird that had been banded in Saskatchewan.
In fall, there is a sense of urgency reflected in the behavior of waterfowl, which feed hungrily to prepare for long-distance migrations. Much needs to be done in a short period of time. The same holds true for our efforts at DU. We have been scurrying around Capitol Hill to achieve hard-won legislative accomplishments such as the reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This legislation provides for federal dollars to match DU’s contributions to conserve wetlands and waterfowl in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. We’re also rushing to complete weather-sensitive conservation work before the onset of winter.
Fall is also the most active time for the fund-raising side of DU’s business. About two-thirds of our 5,000 annual DU events are crammed into the fall season. And for those of you who attend these fun-filled events, you know they have their own sense of urgency and excitement.
My travels across the continent in late summer and fall have revealed a consistently high level of optimism and a commitment to making a difference. I heard this reflected in the voices of New Orleans DU sponsor dinner attendees a few weeks ago. Where there had been only devastation a year ago, there was laughter and resolve to rebuild their city and prepare for the impending duck season.
At the other end of the flyway, the famous Marsh Lake Hunting Club in Minnesota celebrated its 25th anniversary DU event. In a matter of a few hours and with a heaping dose of fellowship, a mere 40 avid sportsmen and conservation leaders raised more than $500,000. These are just two examples of what can happen when DU supporters commit their time and resources to our noble mission of wetlands and waterfowl conservation. If you haven’t signed up yet to attend a DU event or to become a volunteer leader, there’s still time this fall to join the DU team.
We are also in the early, exciting stages of Wetlands for Tomorrow—our challenging, compelling, and exciting continental fund-raising campaign for conservation. Take a look at page 37 or go to www.ducks.org for an update on how we’re doing and how you can get involved this fall.
As you can see, DU is an exciting place to be right now. Have a great fall—after all, it’s prime time.