FAQs about Ducks Unlimited

• What does Ducks Unlimited do?

  Ducks Unlimited is a nonprofit organization established in 1937 to conserve wetland and grassland habitats for waterfowl, communities and wildlife. We have 644,000 members nationally, including 39,000 volunteers who organized 4,440 fundraising events in the last year. Ducks Unlimited employs wetland and water biologists, engineers, fundraising staff, policy representatives and administrative experts across the country. 

• What is a wetland?

  Wetlands are areas that are periodically flooded and under normal conditions contain plants that require saturated soils for growth. They most commonly are marshes, swamps, bogs or fens. Wetlands provide habitat for more than 900 species of plants and animals. They also provide a host of benefits to people, including flood prevention, water quality improvement, coastal storm buffering, groundwater replenishment and recreational opportunities. 

• What is conservation?

  Conservation is the planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction or neglect. Ducks Unlimited conservation methods include protecting healthy wetlands, enhancing unhealthy wetlands and restoring wetlands on land where water was drained for development. The need is urgent: more than 50% of wetlands across the United States have been lost to human development. 

• Where does Ducks Unlimited work?

  Ducks Unlimited takes a continental, landscape approach to wetland conservation. Since 1937, DU and sister organizations Ducks Unlimited Canada and Ducks Unlimited Mexico have conserved more than 15.5 million acres of habitat across North America. While DU works in all 50 states, we focus on landscapes most beneficial to waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited is a science-driven organization, using data on wetlands, water and waterfowl to guide our work. 

• Why should I become a member?

  Ducks Unlimited members are crucial to improve landscapes across the country. Conservation is extremely expensive, and membership dues help provide the dollars we need as matching funds to get federal grants. Our membership strength also positions Ducks Unlimited as a leader in the policy world, as we advocate state and federal government for legislation helpful for wetlands. And also: Being a member has some great perks! 

• Is Ducks Unlimited a hunting organization?

  Ducks Unlimited was established by hunters during the Dust Bowl era, who saw wetlands disappearing from the landscape in alarming numbers. We will always have a strong hunting heritage, but our mission remains steadfast: Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.