California Ducks Unlimited volunteer Dennis Campini was recently presented a national award for his commitment to conservation by U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (CA). The North American Migratory Bird Joint Ventures Conservation Champion Award was given to Campini in early April at a ceremony at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Campini is president of the Central Valley's Grassland Resource Conservation District (GRCD), based in California's Merced County. Campini accepted the award on behalf of the network of people behind the GRCD, whose goal is to preserve migratory birds and their habitats.

"It's wonderful Representative Cardoza recognizes how important it is to have an adequate water supply," Campini said. "He understands, as we do, that water is the lifeblood—without it we have no wetlands. His presenting the award in person really meant a lot to me."

Campini's record with Ducks Unlimited is a mile long: he's a life sponsor and chairman of the Stillbow Duck Club DU chapter in California's Central Valley, and he has served in several DU leadership roles since joining the organization in 1969.