Ducks Unlimited recently partnered with the Healing Our Waters–Great Lakes Coalition to lead a tour of wetland restoration projects along the western shore of Green Bay. Led by Gildo Tori, director of public policy at DU's Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the tour visited completed and ongoing projects that have successfully restored habitat, improved water quality and increased public recreation opportunities on Green Bay. A variety of people participated in the tour, including local volunteers and staff from partner agencies and organizations, elected officials and Wisconsin Public Radio. 
 
Conserving Great Lakes wetlands has long been a top priority for DU because of their great importance to waterfowl. More than 3 million ducks annually migrate through this region, which has a rich waterfowl hunting tradition. Unfortunately, development and pollution are steadily decreasing the quantity and quality of waterfowl habitat throughout the Great Lakes watershed. This tour was part of DU's ongoing efforts to educate the public about the values of conserving these habitats. It was also a way to celebrate the work DU and its partners have done to restore wetlands and make the Great Lakes a better place for waterfowl, wildlife and people. 

Each stop in the tour included presentations from DU and partners such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Nature Conservancy. Presenters stressed the importance of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to conservation in this region. These highly successful programs not only help sustain wetlands and wildlife but also numerous jobs and local economies that depend on hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation.