Ducks Unlimited Inc. will be officially 75 years old on January 29, 2012, and we will be celebrating both our longevity and conservation successes throughout the year. When Joseph Knapp and a few other DU founders gathered at his fishing camp and conceived of this great organization, I doubt that even they could have anticipated the full extent of what their creation would become. But these men had a vision and they stuck to it, even though the challenges and sacrifices that had to be made were difficult then—as indeed they still are today.
Ken Babcock's article on page 56 [of this issue] presents a concise and accurate picture of the struggles that were faced and surmounted not only by Ducks Unlimited, but also a series of people and organizations that recognized what needed to be done to conserve wildlife and refused to shrink from what they saw as an obligation and an imperative. I was reminded of this history recently while reading The Plume Hunter by Renee Thompson. The book, a work of fiction set in the late 1800s and early 1900s, depicts a conflict between two friends who believe in the never-ending abundance of America's bird populations. Both of these men experience a struggle of conscience when they realize that if commercial hunting of birds for feathers (for women's hats and clothing) and meat (for restaurants) continues, there will be no bird populations left for future generations to enjoy.
DU volunteers live every day with both a love for waterfowl and the determination that we will never allow this precious resource to be lost.
The effort to end commercial hunting and pass protective legislation for avian populations required the partnership of ornithological scientists and sportsmen, along with growing support from a populace that truly appreciated nature's gifts on wings. Men like Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell began to realize the healing power in nature and pointed out the need to stay connected to the natural world—a need that is greater perhaps today than it ever was.
The recently released movie The Big Year presents a contemporary view of conservation and the appreciation of America's glorious bird populations through a story of three men from totally different backgrounds who set off on a year of bird watching to, ostensibly, see how many bird species they can spot in one year. In reality, the men are embarking on personal quests to find themselves or to redefine their directions in life. In that sense, the characters in both works have remarkable similarities. They all believed their interests were driven by quests to define their individual lives, but soon discovered that their connection with nature—and their own natures—quickly overpowered their preconceived notions of themselves.
No better attempt at explaining the passion and dedication of Ducks Unlimited volunteers and members could be given than this deep and abiding connection with the natural world. DU volunteers live every day with both a love for waterfowl and the determination that we will never allow this precious resource to be lost.
The commitment by Ducks Unlimited and hunters everywhere dominated the culture of wildlife management throughout the 20th century. As we celebrate this, our 75th Anniversary, let us remember those who came before us, the sacrifices they made, and our responsibility to carry on the tradition. Happy birthday, Ducks Unlimited!