MEMPHIS, Tenn. - June 27, 2017 - Rusty Legg, of Galveston, Texas, was elected to Ducks Unlimited's national board of directors during the organization's 80th annual national convention held recently in San Antonio.

"The leadership provided by Ducks Unlimited's board of directors ensures we are fulfilling our mission to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl," said DU CEO Dale Hall. "Our board members are not paid for their work; rather they volunteer their time and resources because they feel so strongly about conservation. I welcome each new board member and look forward to working with them in the years to come."

Rusty Legg of Galveston, TX

Rusty Legg of Galveston, TX

Photo © Ducks Unlimited

Rusty Legg, an electrical contractor, past City Counsel and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Galveston, is one of the Lone Star State's most dedicated DU sponsors and volunteers. A member since 1974, he started volunteering for the ducks the very next year. He and his wife, Patricia, are Grand Slam Life Sponsors and Benefactor Sponsors associated with the Galveston Chapter. Legg was elected as a regional vice president.

In addition to new board member elections, this year's convention featured opportunities for conservation-related education, special tours, entertainment and presentations by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance and Axalta Coating Systems Chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver, who delivered the keynote address.

In a videotaped message to the audience, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue expressed his gratitude to Ducks Unlimited for their long-time partnership with USDA putting conservation on working ag lands and said he is looking forward to working together on the upcoming farm bill.

Special thanks to First National Bank of Omaha, provider of the official Ducks Unlimited Visa card, Purina Pro Plan, Argo, ConocoPhillips, Sweet Water Brewing Company, Holland & Knight and United Country Real Estate for sponsoring this year's convention.

Next year's Ducks Unlimited National Convention will be held May 30 - June 2 in Indianapolis.

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 more than 14 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.