Ducks Unlimited officially turned 75 on January 29, 2012. What a great story! 

As if to add an exclamation point to DU's stalwart dedication and hard work over the past seven and a half decades, 2011 was one of the best years for migratory waterfowl in recent memory. Millions of ducks and geese flew down their historic flyways, giving those who have labored so tirelessly a reminder of why we do what we do at Ducks Unlimited.

The past year also ended on another good note for duck hunters. In late December, Congress approved a $35.5 million budget for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) program for FY 2012. That's significantly less than what the administration recommended months ago, but much better than the initial $20 million in NAWCA funding proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives last spring. 

While still not a complete victory, the recent NAWCA funding is a win for North America's wetlands and waterfowl. It's also a testament to the effectiveness of DU's grassroots support, as legions of DU members and volunteers contacted their representatives and let them know that conservation is a moneymaker for the federal taxpayer and should bear only its fair share of budget reductions. 

Unfortunately, the country's debt crisis continues. And with Congress seeking a minimum of $1.2 trillion in budget cuts for FY 2013, the future of NAWCA and our nation's wetlands are hanging in the balance. So while you join us in celebrating DU's inspiring past this anniversary year, please continue to rally for the ducks by asking your representative to support H.R. 1960, a bill that would reauthorize NAWCA through 2017. 

Our year-long celebration of DU's history will reach a crescendo at our 75th national convention in Nashville, Tennessee, from May 30 through June 3. Everyone at DU is working hard to make this a "homecoming" rather than a convention. No one has worked harder to make this homecoming memorable than Lon Knoedler of Wisconsin and Doug Schoenrock of Tennessee. They have led an effort of countless volunteers and staff to ensure this will be a birthday party to remember.

But while we will have a wonderful time renewing old acquaintances and celebrating the conservation of nearly 13 million acres of waterfowl habitat, there will be a significant effort to ensure that we remember and honor those who came before us. Those whose efforts and contributions have allowed us to observe and enjoy the bounty of waterfowl that nature is capable of providing, with a little help from man. At least 12 of the 15 living past presidents of DU Inc. and Wetlands America Trust have committed to be in attendance. An untold number of past board members and their families will also be on hand as the convention kicks off with a homecoming gathering midweek. Without these good people, and others who paved the way before them, there would not be a Ducks Unlimited. I assure you we will never forget that important truth.

But just as important as honoring the past, we'll talk about where we will be going over the next 75 years. What makes Ducks Unlimited so special is our unabashed pride in our passionate volunteers and staff, and their unquestioned commitment to carry on the conservation tradition. The purpose of our work has always been to ensure that the bad years for waterfowl aren't as bad as "what might have been," and that the good years are better than expected. Our purpose is not going to change, but our approach needs to be flexible. 

I hope to see all of you in Nashville as we gather not only to celebrate DU's illustrious past, but also to envision an even brighter future.