Ducks Unlimited Event Held to Recruit Major Sponsors in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. May 27, 2008 – Ducks
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| Gov. Beebe spoke at DU Major Sponsor event. |
Unlimited hosted “Cocktails for Conservation” at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion May 12th to encourage support of their Wings Over Arkansas conservation initiative. The initiative is geared towards putting conservation on the ground in Arkansas and on the breeding grounds critical to Arkansas’ waterfowl.
“Major Sponsors provide critical funding that supports conservation programs in Arkansas,” said current Arkansas State Chairman Vince Callahan. “This event was designed specifically to recruit and recognize Major Sponsors for their continued support.”
Steve Cook, a DU Board Member, and Allison Cook, a DU volunteer, set up the event to identify and recruit additional Major Sponsors in Arkansas. New Major Sponsors will support Wings Over Arkansas. DU also used the opportunity to recognize and thank current Major Sponsors for their past support of Arkansas River CARE, an initiative aimed at conserving important migration habitat along the Mississippi River.
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| Vince Callahan (left) and Chad Manlove (right) present Arkansas River CARE print to Mike Morrison, a new life sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. |
Speakers at the event included Governor Beebe, Group Manager of Development for DU Dan Thiel, Arkansas DU biologists Craig Hilburn and Brian Davis, and a recent attendee of Ducks University, Scott House. DU Director for Development Chad Manlove presented past supporters with Arkansas River CARE prints.
Governor Beebe opened the event by welcoming attendees and encouraging support of Ducks Unlimited. "DU is the world leader in wetlands conservation. Arkansas's wetlands provide this state with extraordinary economic and ecological benefits. I strongly encourage everyone to support Ducks Unlimited," Beebe said.
The event was a great success, garnering six Life Sponsors, one Diamond Life Sponsor and two Feather Society pledges. Five additional Major Sponsor prospects were identified from the 70 attendees.
“Thanks to dedicated DU volunteers and staff, this event was a wonderful success,” said Arkansas Campaign Chairman Derek Exum. “Major Sponsor events like the one held at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion provide critical funds in support of DU’s Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign.”
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.
Andi Cooper 601-206-5463 acooper@ducks.org