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DU's Response to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

What Ducks Unlimited has been doing since the Gulf oil spill began
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  • Ryan Heiniger, DU's director of conservation programs for Minnesota and Iowa, was invited by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN) to discuss the repercussions of the Gulf oil spill on North America's migratory birds.
  • DU received a $2.5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide additional habitat for waterfowl and other birds that will migrate to the Gulf Coast later this year.
  • DU is encouraging President Obama to accelerate funding and implementation of Gulf Coast restoration plans.
  • On June 21, Dr. Tom Moorman, leader of DU's Gulf Coast Response Team, joined other wildlife experts on The Diane Rehm Show to discuss the state of waterfowl in the wake of the oil spill. Listen to the recording >>
  • On June 11, Ducks Unlimited briefed more than 150 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate staffs, representatives from a variety of national news programs and other organizations regarding the Gulf Coast oil spill and its potential impacts on waterfowl
  • Several DU staff members attended the State of Coast Conference in Baton Rouge, La., June 8-10. This conference provides a forum for learning about recent advances in science and engineering so that current knowledge is applied to future restoration efforts, policy initiatives and decision making. (Read more)
  • On June 9, CEO Dale Hall announced the DU Gulf Coast Response Team, which will focus solely on DU's ongoing conservation efforts along the Gulf Coast.
  • DU CEO Dale Hall, Dr. Tom Moorman, Chief Biologist Dale Humburg and other DU staff traveled to Venice, La., on June 3-4 to inspect wetland damage and meet with officials from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Watch CEO Hall's video update from the coast >>
  • On May 27, the Ducks Unlimited board of directors unanimously passed a resolution regarding the oil spill. Resolution details >>
  • DU issued an action alert asking members to contact Congress in support of increased funding for response and recovery efforts. Ultimately, BP will be responsible for cleanup costs and will reimburse the government for these expenses. But, in the short term, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA and state wildlife agencies will be responsible for the bulk of the cleanup.
  • DU and 22 other organizations have signed a letter addressed to House Appropriations Chairman David Obey and Ranking Member Jerry Lewis supporting the effort to increase congressional funding for oil spill recovery.
  • As the world's leader in wetlands conservation, DU is keeping a close eye on how the oil spill will ultimately affect the Gulf Coast's fragile ecosystem so we can be well prepared to assist with damage assessment and habitat restoration.
  • DU CEO Dale Hall has sent letters to the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida expressing DU's regret over the impact this tragedy will have on the region's people, economy and culture, and offering DU's full support and assistance.
  • DU has contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other state and federal agencies to offer our support and assistance.
  • DU has reached out to BP and other companies active in the Gulf, indicating we are available to assist with research, monitoring bird resources and wetlands conservation and restoration efforts.
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