AMES, IOWA – Nov. 29, 2011 – Ducks Unlimited has hired engineer Rick Verchota to assist with DU's efforts in Iowa and surrounding states. DU's conservation programs in Iowa have recently expanded to include a $9 million, multi-year partnership that includes restoring habitat through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Verchota has come on board to help meet that demand.

"I'm excited about joining the DU team and look forward to working with our partners in Iowa and the surrounding states to accomplish our waterfowl habitat conservation goals,” Verchota said.

Verchota is stationed in Nora Springs and will be responsible for coordinating with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, landowners and contractors to facilitate DU's delivery of WRP acres. Verchota will oversee and manage on-the-ground conservation project implementation and add valuable in-state capacity and expertise to this program. He will also assist DU's regional surveying, engineering and construction staff with other habitat projects.

Verchota is a registered professional engineer with a civil engineering degree from Iowa State University. He recently retired from the Iowa Department of Transportation after holding various leadership positions during a successful 24-year career. Verchota is also a long-time DU supporter and active volunteer.

"We welcome Rick to the Ducks Unlimited family, and we look forward to seeing him apply his skills to restoring wetlands and other waterfowl habitats in Iowa,” said Doug Lipetzky, DU senior regional engineer.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

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