DU Conservation Initiatives

Connecting people and resources with critical habitats

Ducks Unlimited has a bold vision…wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever. These wetlands provide habitat for a myriad of other wildlife as well as ecological benefits to people. From providing recreational opportunities and clean water to shoreline protection, wetlands are important to us all.

The Ducks Unlimited Regional Fundraising Initiatives shown on this map are connecting conservation-minded individuals and organizations and their resources across the continent with the wetland and waterfowl conservation priorities of greatest need. By contributing to DU’s regional fundraising initiatives, you will be supporting these priority habitats that are essential to North America’s waterfowl populations.

The regional initiatives included within these two vital priorities are as follows:

Breeding Landscapes

The Alaska Initiative - Born to Fly
Protecting one of the world's most pristine landscapes for breeding and brood-rearing waterfowl—the vast wetlands and river deltas of the Alaskan wilderness.
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Boreal Forest Initiative
North America's Boreal Forest is the world's largest remaining intact, productive ecosystem, encompassing more than a billion and a half acres of pristine forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers and streams.
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Great Lakes Initiative
Protecting the waters of the Great Lakes and conserving critical habitat for many species of waterfowl that utilize this vast watershed throughout their life cycle.
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Living Lakes Initiative 
Conserving Minnesota and Iowa's wetlands and shallow lakes as vital stepping stones for waterfowl migrating between southern wintering and northern breeding grounds each year.
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Preserve Our Prairies Initiative
Conserving North America's highest-priority waterfowl nesting habitat—and the glory of bountiful fall flights—in the face of mounting threats. 
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Wintering and Migrating Landscapes

America's River Initiative
Rebuilding the glory of the Mississippi River floodplain by conserving key wintering habitat for millions of waterfowl and reinforcing the region's rich waterfowling legacy.
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Big Rivers Initiative
Restoring and feeding and resting areas along the river that make up the Mississippi River floodplain and the conserving habitat critical to the grand passage of migratory waterfowl.
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California Wetlands Initiative
Restoring Golden State wetlands to healthy wintering habitats and helping provide water solutions for waterfowl, other wildlife, and Californians.
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Completing the Cycle Initiative
Ensuring healthy habitat sufficient to sustain Atlantic Flyway waterfowl as they complete their annual cycle and return to the breeding grounds each year.
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Ducks in the Desert Initiative
Restoring the valuable wetland oases of America's desert landscape for waterfowl, other wildlife, and communities across the West, from the Great Salt Lake to the Lower Colorado River.
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Gulf Coast Initiative
Saving the most critical wintering waterfowl habitat in North America by conserving coastal prairies and marshes along the rapidly disappearing Gulf Coast.
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Heartland Heritage and Habitat Initiative
Providing innovative water solutions for ducks and people in the Southern Great Plains, one of America's most important waterfowl migration areas.
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Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative
Pledging to safeguard Mississippi River's wetlands. Our mission: thriving waterfowl, resilient communities. 

Peaks to Prairies Initiative
Restoring wetlands in the shadow of America's iconic Rocky Mountains and conserving the Duck Factory for outdoorsmen and women to enjoy. 
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Southeast Wetlands Initiative
Supporting the rich outdoor heritage of the southeastern United States by conserving key habitats for Atlantic and eastern Mississippi Flyway waterfowl.
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Southern Prairies & Playas Initiative
Protecting, restoring, and enhancing the grasslands and wetlands of the Southern Great Plains to support migrating waterfowl populations in the Central Flyway.
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Wings and Wetlands Initiative
In Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, significant wetland habitats have been lost. As human populations soar, the demand for water increases, putting even more pressure on remaining wetlands.
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Rescue Our Wetlands

Ducks Unlimited's Rescue Our Wetlands Campaign was a huge success! Read more about it here.