$25 Million Dedicated to Living Lakes Initiative
In November 2008, Minnesota voters passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, which added 3/8 of 1 percent to the state sales tax. One-third of the revenue generated by this amendment is placed in the state's Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) for competitive grants to state agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited. This means that approximately $100 million can be used annually to protect, restore, and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife in Minnesota.
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Living Lakes receive record funding through Iowa appropriation
Ducks Unlimited focuses its Living Lakes Initiative on conserving the shallow-lake habitats of Minnesota and Iowa. This high priority landscape got a big boost recently when both houses of the Iowa legislature approved $8.6 million for the Lake Restoration Fund.
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Living Lakes Initiative
Conserving Minnesota and Iowa's wetlands and shallow lakes as vital stepping stones for waterfowl migrating between southern wintering and northern breeding grounds each year.
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Flint Hills Resources donates to protect wildlife habitat
ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – April 9, 2013 – Ducks Unlimited recently received a $75,000 donation from Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery to help protect and restore habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife in Minnesota. The gift is the latest commitment from Flint Hills in a 28-year partnership with DU.
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DU recognizes DNR Wildlife Manager Randy Markl
LAMBERTON, Minn. – Dec. 21, 2012 – Minnesota DNR wildlife professional Randy Markl was recognized recently for his many years of dedication to wetlands and waterfowl conservation with Ducks Unlimited's 2012 Minnesota Conservation Partner of the Year award. The award was presented to Markl at a DNR southern regional wildlife staff meeting by Jon Schneider, DU manager of conservation programs for Minnesota.
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Iowa governor attends state convention, recognizes 75th anniversary
Gov. Terry Branstad recognized Ducks Unlimited for its 75th anniversary by signing a proclamation at DU's Iowa state convention on Feb. 11. In his proclamation, Gov. Branstad commended DU for its conservation success.
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Dan Green Slough Project
Like many other large marshes and shallow lakes in north-central Iowa, Dan Green Slough has experienced a significant decline in waterfowl use during the past several decades due to poor water quality, high water levels, and exploding rough fish populations.
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Four Mile Lake Project
Four Mile Lake is a 215 acre marsh on a 691 acre State Wildlife Management Area. Monitoring of the lake by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources prior to restoration confirmed that the lake had little to no aquatic plant growth, exhibited extremely poor water quality, and was dominated by rough fish.
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Kiowa Marsh Wildlife Management Area Restoration
Ducks Unlimited partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to restore the 45-acre Kiowa Marsh located just off of Highway 20 in Sac County. The marsh is located in the Indian Creek watershed, which flows directly into the North Raccoon River, a major water source for Iowa's largest and most populated city.
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Diamond Lake Project
Diamond Lake Wildlife Management Area is a 1,099 acre property owned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Ducks Unlimited partnered with the DNR to improve infrastructure on the lake that will facilitate habitat management.
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Habitat Enhancement Under Way at Minnesota's Smith Lake
A new water-control outlet structure on Smith Lake in Wright County allowed Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managers to begin drawing down lake levels last December. This habitat-enhancement project is a partnership effort between Ducks Unlimited and the Minnesota DNR to improve water-level-management capabilities and habitat conditions for waterfowl and other wildlife.
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