Fort Rucker Department of Natural Resources hosted a project involving students from G.W. Long High school Vocational Agriculture program in Skipperville, Alabama in the building and placement of duck nesting boxes. Ducks Unlimited volunteers led by Mitch Gilley presented the students with gifts and provided lunch in recognition of their efforts.

Fort Rucker Natural Resources supplied the materials, and the students built 50 nest boxes. These boxes were placed in various lakes and ponds located on Fort Rucker property. Some of the students were also involved in assisting JB Bruner, Wildlife Biologist on Fort Rucker, with the placement of these boxes. The boxes were finished at the end of January, at which time they were erected.

The students were led in the building of the boxes by their Agri/Science Instructor and FFA Advisor, Bob Moorehead. Students involved in the project inlcuded:
Brent Welch
Reid Strickland
Ian Ripple
Cayla Vice
Tyler Dunn
Cole Riley
Daniel Brasher
Michael Teal
Jami Hollingsworth
Ashley Whitman
Kristi Dewolfe
Danika Powell
Mason Childers
Dustin Hendricks
Ryan Welch

It is important for today’s youth to learn about wetlands and waterfowl habitat. They are our future conservationist. For this reason, local Ducks Unlimited volunteers Gus King, Eric Blankenship and Mitch Gilley provided the students with lunch and certificates of recognition for their efforts. Though this was a learning experience for all, it’s safe to say everyone had a good time improving Fort Rucker habitat for the ducks.

For more information contact:
JB Bruner
Wildlife Biologist Fort Rucker
James_Bruner@urscorp.com

or

Andi Cooper
Communications Biologist
acooper@ducks.org