RIDGELAND, Miss. - Aug. 20, 2020 - Dr. Dale James received an inaugural Ducks Unlimited (DU) Excellence in Conservation Award for his work on conservation planning in the Southern Region.

For the first time in its 83-year history DU distributed their Excellence in Conservation Awards. DU's Conservation Programs Committee (CPC) created the awards to recognize outstanding conservation accomplishments and the DU staff who made them possible.

Any extraordinary accomplishment that supports DU's conservation mission of filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever is eligible for recognition. The inaugural 2020 awards were announced Aug. 20, during the CPC summer meeting.

"These awards were created to support morale, help maintain a high level of motivation and convey the gratitude of DU supporters and volunteers by recognizing truly exceptional conservation professionals," said CPC Chair Dr. Christine Thomas. "The awards recognize particularly outstanding conservation achievements by individuals who are part of the staff of Ducks Unlimited."

The Southern Region Conservation Planning team has a long history of utilizing the latest technology to tackle challenges which help DU deliver meaningful conservation in the most efficient way possible. James received an award for the innovative way he and his team continue to lead the way in on-the-ground applications of science and conservation planning using technology.

"I am honored to accept the 2020 Excellence in Conservation Award on behalf of the Southern Region Science and Planning Team," James said. "This award means a lot to me, especially since it also recognizes the great conservation planning leadership that proceeds our current team. I truly believe much of your success comes from the foundation you are provided and the support you receive."

The teams application of GIS and other remote sensing technologies combined with their dedication to stringent adherence to the principles of sound science has yielded impressive, rapidly adopted, and highly useful results. The team regularly contributes to DU's success across conservation, policy, communications, and fundraising efforts. Their willingness to ask and answer difficult questions, stretch to understand and utilize the latest technologies, and to lead by example have made the Southern Region's Conservation Planning team a critical player in national and international conservation arenas.

Click here for a complete list of 2020 Ducks Unlimited Excellence in Conservation Award winners.

"Ducks Unlimited has the greatest team of conservation professionals in the world," DU CEO Adam Putnam said. "These Excellence in Conservation Awards recognize the members of Team DU who are the boots on the ground. Their daily efforts fuel our mission to fill the skies with waterfowl."

For more information visit www.ducks.org. Follow DU's newest Twitter feed - @DUNews1937 - to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

About Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved almost 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

Media Contact:

Emily Austin

(601) 206-5438
eaustin@ducks.org