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Arne Nedwick, 17, and Cole Bridge, 19, aren’t just duck hunting enthusiasts; they’re passionate conservationists. Earlier this year, the two teens proved that the next generation of Ducks Unlimited (DU) volunteers is here and ready to make a difference.

 The two teens grew up in and around DU events, and when the opportunity presented itself, the boys jumped at the chance to revive something meaningful in their own backyard: the Girdwood Ducks Unlimited Chapter.

When they approached DU Alaska Regional Director Dave Weber with the idea of bringing the chapter back to life, they already knew they wanted to take on a big event. 
“It was a bold undertaking for two new volunteers, but they wanted to be true to the hunting and conservation culture they grew up with,” Weber said. 

Once Nedwick and Bridge secured Turnagain Fish Co., a third-generation Alaskan family business, —as the venue, the real test began. With a seating capacity of 80 and two teenagers leading their first event, expectations were modest. But the response from the community exceeded them all.

They didn’t just fill the hall, they packed it.

That night, 120 people crowded into Turnagain Fish Co., shoulder to shoulder. What started as a hopeful idea turned into a sold-out evening of raffles, auctions and camaraderie. Nedwick and Bridge organized a bucket raffle and a live auction that kept the crowd on its feet.  

The event’s success wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by the strong turnout and steady engagement throughout the evening. From enthusiastic bidding to sold-out raffles, the crowd’s energy reflected solid community support for local conservation efforts. And when the final numbers came in, the success was undeniable. Nedwick and Bridge helped raise $17,000 in net profit for DU, all of it going toward vital wetland conservation efforts across North America.

Through their initiative and organization, Nedwick and Bridge successfully reestablished the Girdwood DU chapter, demonstrating that younger volunteers are already stepping in to contribute to the future of conservation.

Please visit the new DU Media Toolkit page for essential resources about Ducks Unlimited’s conservation mission.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 19 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
 
Media Contact:
Molly Jarone
(916) 903-9199
mjarone@ducks.org