by Bill Wehrle, C-T Outdoor Editor
Nineteen Ducks Unlimited major donors were honored at Missouri's Fountain Grove Conservation Area in a special ceremony conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation on October 6. A permanent stone marker containing the donor's names has been erected overlooking the large wetland pool, recently renovated as the first project in MDC's "Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative. These donors had earmarked donations of almost $200,000 specifically for this wetland renovation in partnership with the Conservation Department and several other partners. Four more MDC wetlands are slated for similar renovation in the near future.
Missouri DU's State Chairman Jane Bell (r.) was assisted by DU Major Donor Chairman George Thomlinson (l.) and long-time Grand River Area DU volunteer and major donor Tim Reger in unveiling the permanent marker honoring the 19 DU major donors who contibuted to MDC's wetland renovation project at Fountain Grove. The ceremony took place at Fountain Grove headquarters last Saturday. Photo by Bill Wehrle
DU Regional Director Mark Flaspohler served as the master of ceremonies for this dedication, and many DU dignitaries attended, including Missouri DU State Chairman Jane Bell, Major Donor Chairman George Thomlinson and DU's newly appointed waterfowl biologist Dale Humburg, a former long-time MDC employee.
MDC Assistant Director David Erickson addressed the attendees, stating, "The Missouri Conservation Department has had many partners in conservation over the years, but DU has always been our most steadfast and dependable partner. The Fountain Grove wetland restoration project was a large financial undertaking and required several partners. DU's financial help was crucial to the project's success."
The major donors whose names will be permanently on the marker commemorating "More than 50 years of caring for Missouri's wetlands and waterfowl" were: Chuck and Rebecca Baker, Richard and Jennifer Baskett, Glenn and Jeannie Chambers, Jeff and Janet Churan, Darrell and Lisa Clark, David and Lisa Gann (in memory of Coval), Dale and Vicki Humburg, Troy and Anne LaRue, Kenneth and Donna Lewis, Jim and Lovie Lightner, Scott and Deborah Lindley, Robert Livingston, Robert and Patricia Milcik, Mack and Lisa Molloy, Timothy and Carol Reger, John and Carla Reynolds, George and Connie Seek, Jim and Deanne Talbert, and Musial and Glenda Wolfe.
Fountain Grove, established in 1947, was MDC'c first wetland habitat area and has always been open to public hunting, with more than 50 million duck hunter-days recorded there. Located in a flood plain, it was in dire need of renovation due to siltation. It is and will continue to be an important migratory stop-over for migrating waterfowl.