Since its inception 25 years ago, the goal of Wetlands America Trust has been to provide specialized financial and philanthropic support to Ducks Unlimited. WAT's principal role is the fiduciary responsibility for Ducks Unlimited's endowment and land holdings including conservation easements. Not only has WAT been successful with this charge, the trustees have individually taken up the mantle to introduce Ducks Unlimited and our conservation programs to their friends, family, and colleagues.

Since beginning his tenure as WAT President in 2008, John Childs has established three committees to lead the day-to-day activities of the Trust. Chaired by Deke Welles and using the trustees' vast personal and business networks to recruit new hunter-conservationists the Development Committee undertakes highly individualized and directed fundraising for DU. Past DU President John Tomke chairs the Government Affairs Committee to build strong relationships with policy makers and to educate public officials on policy issues essential to DU's conservation mission. The Nominating Committee, chaired by Doug Oberhelman, identifies and recommends potential trustees and manages WAT’s governance considerations.

WAT Trustees are all recognized leaders in business and their professions, passionate waterfowl hunters and committed to habitat conservation.

President
John W. Childs

Chief Operating Officer
Dan Thiel

Secretary/Treasurer
Robert S. Hester Jr.

Trustees
Kevin Albert
Jim Ayers
Mike Benge
John W. Berry Jr.
Paul R. Bonderson Jr.
John S. Dale
Bill D'Alonzo
Skipper Dickson
George Dunklin
David F. Grohne
Orrin H. Ingram II
James C. Kennedy
Bruce Lauritzen
W. Bruce Lewis
Steve Maritz
David McLean
John Nau
John Newman
Douglas R. Oberhelman
Mark Pine
John R. Pope
Dan Ray
Tom A. Seeno
Mark Stitzer
Matthew G. Stuller Sr.
John W. Thompson
John A. Tomke
William E. Walker III
David K. Welles Jr.

Please contact Dan Thiel for more information on Wetlands America Trust:
dthiel@ducks.org or 901-758-3823