What Is Ducks Unlimited?
Ducks Unlimited (DU) is North America’s premier conservation organization founded in 1937 that has been restoring and reconnecting wetlands across the continent for nearly 90 years.
Today, DU’s work goes far beyond its roots, helping conserve over 20 million acres of habitat that support clean water, fish and wildlife, and healthy ecosystems. By partnering with communities, farmers, and public agencies, DU focuses on practical, science-based solutions that benefit waterfowl, wildlife, people and the environment for generations to come.
What Is IP 28?
IP 28 is a citizen‑initiated ballot measure. To qualify for the ballot, proponents must submit 117,173 valid signatures by July 2, 2026.
If approved by voters, IP 28 would fundamentally rewrite Oregon law related to animals.
Supporters refer to this proposal as the PEACE Act and market it primarily as an animal cruelty prevention measure.
Why Ducks Unlimited Opposes IP 28
It Would Restrict Everyday Outdoor Activities
IP 28 could make common outdoor activities like fishing or hunting illegal, affecting how many Oregonians connect with nature and spend time with family.
It Could Impact Pet Ownership
Some animal care practices, including breeding and training dogs, could be limited or criminalized, affecting working dogs and many family pets.
It Puts Local Food and Farms at Risk
The measure could disrupt farming and livestock practices, threatening:
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Family farms and ranches
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Farmers markets
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Local sources of milk, eggs, meat, and produce
It Reduces Wildlife Conservation Funding
Fees from licenses and outdoor recreation fund habitat protection and wildlife management. If those activities are restricted:
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Key funding for conservation programs could decline
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State and local wildlife agencies could lose significant support
More About Ducks Unlimited
We All Need Wetlands
Wetlands are often called the “kidneys of a watershed” because they naturally filter and clean water, helping remove pollutants and improve water quality. They are also essential for wildlife, providing food and habitat for waterfowl, fish, and other species.
When wetlands are lost, water quality declines, flooding risks increase, and critical habitat disappears, impacting wildlife populations and the health of entire ecosystems. Communities can also feel the effects through poorer water resources and less resilience to extreme weather.
DU works with farmers, communities, and partners to conserve and restore these critical areas. Through managed wetlands and working lands, conservation partners hand-in-hand with agriculture, creating a dual benefit that supports both productive landscapes and healthy ecosystems.
Science-Driven Conservation and Why It Works
DU’s approach works because it is grounded in science and built on voluntary partnerships. Projects are guided by decades of research on waterfowl migration, habitat needs, and ecosystem function, ensuring conservation efforts are placed where they will have the greatest impact. By working directly with farmers, landowners, and local communities, DU develops practical solutions that fit real-world conditions. This combination of data-driven decision-making and on-the-ground collaboration leads to lasting results that benefit waterfowl, wildlife, and people for generations to come.
All of this is AT RISK from IP28.
Protect Oregon’s Conservation Legacy
IP 28 would be devastating for wildlife, conservation funding and treasured outdoor traditions. Ducks Unlimited is committed to ensuring Oregonians understand what’s at stake and to defending a future where people, wildlife, and the environment thrive together.
Please join Ducks Unlimited in opposing IP 28.
How You Can Help
Join Ducks Unlimited
Support wetlands, waterfowl habitat, and Oregon’s outdoor traditions by becoming a DU member.
Become a member
Get Involved Locally
Volunteer or attend a DU chapter event to help educate your community about IP 28 and conservation solutions that work.
Find a DU event near you
Support Voter Education and Conservation Defense
Contribute to DU’s Oregon policy efforts through the Wings and Wetlands Initiative to help fund:
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Voter education
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Advocacy with our conservation partners
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Long‑term defense of conservation and our outdoor traditions
