Ducks
Unlimited’s policy team has added waterfowl biologist and Mississippi native Ed
Penny. Penny will work out of DU’s Southern Regional Office in Ridgeland,
Mississippi and handle public policy efforts in 13 states. He comes from the
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), one of DU’s strongest
and most productive partners. At MDWFP he was most recently responsible for administering
the Wildlife Bureau and developing partnerships with state and federal
agencies, policymakers, individuals and organizations focused on wildlife
conservation issues.
“Ed’s
education and experience make him uniquely suited for this position,” said DU
Director of Operations for the Southern Region Jerry Holden. “He’s a talented waterfowl
biologist and a consummate professional with a tremendous gift for facilitating
and maintaining strong partnerships with a variety of stakeholders.”
Penny
was educated at Mississippi State University, where he obtained both a bachelor’s
and master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science. He has worked for Ducks
Unlimited in California and for both the California and Mississippi state
wildlife agencies.
Last
year, Penny worked to establish a coalition of 14 conservation and recreation
organizations to support the first legislative fee increase for hunting and
fishing licenses in Mississippi in over 20 years. These license fees fund
conservation and management efforts on state public lands and waters which are important
to all citizens.
At
the national level, Penny represented Mississippi sportsmen and women on policies
affecting waterfowl and other wildlife populations. He served on the
Mississippi Flyway Council for many years and provided guidance on conservation
policy and funding issues, including the Farm Bill, the North American Wetlands
Conservation Act, State Wildlife Grants, federal duck stamp funding and others.
“Waterfowl
conservation has always been my passion. It is a complex enterprise that will
only be successful if we maintain adequate funding, healthy habitat and a
strong hunting heritage. I am excited to support DU’s conservation policy
efforts by working with state and federal decision makers in the Southern
Region.”
“We
have worked with Ed on many shared issues as he represented MDWFP on many
federal policy issues and conservation partnerships,” DU Chief Policy Officer
Margaret Everson said. “He has been a tireless worker for conservation, and we
look forward to harnessing that energy for DU.”
Ed
and his wife, Mandy, live with their three boys and Boykin Spaniel in Jackson. He
will handle state, regional and national policy issues related to wetlands and
waterfowl habitat conservation and funding. Penny starts in his new position
March 17.