EAST PEORIA, IL—February 22, 2010. Ducks Unlimited, the world’s largest wetland and waterfowl conservation organization, celebrated its 50,000th acre of wetland conservation in Illinois during its annual state convention at the Par-a-Dice Hotel in East Peoria, IL. The milestone achievement actually occurred this past year in conjunction with a wetland restoration project conducted in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) at the Double “T” State Fish and Wildlife Area in Fulton County, IL. The project was funded by Mike Hitchcock, Sr., a long-time DU supporter and Diamond Heritage Sponsor.
“I was surprised to hear that my recent project donation turned out to be the 50,000th acre conserved by DU in Illinois,” said Hitchcock. “I am very pleased with what DU and IDNR have been able to accomplish at Double “T” SFWA and across the state by working together. I am glad that I was able to help.”
Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved over 13 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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Contact: Eric Schenck, Illinois Regional Biologist, Ducks Unlimited eschenck@ducks.org 309-224-5651
Contact: Kristin Schrader, Public Affairs Coordinator, Ducks Unlimited
kschrader@ducks.org 734-623-2000