Ducks Unlimited (DU) proudly announced the naming of its Great Plains Office and the entirety of its prairie program as The James C. Kennedy Center for Prairie Conservation, honoring one of the most influential conservation leaders and philanthropists in the organization's history. In addition, DU has dedicated the Grohne Coteau Ranch, a premier research and demonstration property, within the Center, in recognition of the extraordinary conservation contributions of David and Margaret Grohne.
Through this recognition, DU celebrates decades of leadership, generosity, and commitment to conserving North America's waterfowl habitat, including the most important waterfowl breeding landscape: the Prairie Pothole Region.
James (Jim) C. Kennedy, chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises and chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation, first engaged with Ducks Unlimited in the early 1970s when he responded to a newspaper advertisement and joined a local DU chapter in Atlanta, Georgia. What started as volunteer service evolved into a lifelong dedication to wetlands and waterfowl conservation, helping propel DU's impact across the continent.
Jim Kennedy is DU's largest individual donor and one of the organization's most transformative champions, having served and supported it for approximately 55 years. Through over $650 million in personal and affiliated foundation and corporate support, he has advanced habitat conservation in some of the most important yet vulnerable landscapes. From the Prairie Pothole Region to the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf Coast, this support has helped drive on-the-ground conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and public-private partnerships that benefit waterfowl, wildlife, and communities across North America.
In 2024, Cox Enterprises announced a $100 million gift to DU’s land trust, Wetlands America Trust (WAT). The gift, which focused on conserving prairie wetlands and grasslands across the United States and Canada, was made in honor of Kennedy and, to date, has made possible the conservation of nearly 100,000 acres in the region. As the primary breeding grounds for the continent’s ducks and geese, the Prairie Pothole Region is a globally significant landscape that plays a vital role in sustaining healthy bird populations and outdoor traditions across North America’s Pacific, Central, Mississippi, and Atlantic flyways.
"Jim Kennedy's vision has left an indelible mark on Ducks Unlimited and on conservation throughout North America," said Adam Putnam, DU CEO. "The naming of the James C. Kennedy Center for Prairie Conservation reflects both his extraordinary commitment to protecting the Prairie Pothole Region, unwavering belief in the DU mission, and his enduring commitment to ensuring conservation succeeds through science, stewardship, and partnership."
As the founding president of WAT, Kennedy helped establish conservation easements as a cornerstone of modern habitat protection. His leadership helped grow WAT into one of the nation's largest land trusts and has inspired conservation efforts that permanently protect critical wetlands and grasslands across the continent.
"Conservation is ultimately about leaving something better for those who come after us. Ducks Unlimited has demonstrated for nearly 90 years that lasting conservation is achieved through collaboration and a commitment to science-based solutions,” said Jim Kennedy. “I am grateful for this honor and proud to see this Center serve as a catalyst for protecting the wetlands, grasslands, and waterfowl that are so vital to North America's natural heritage."
The James C. Kennedy Center for Prairie Conservation will serve as a hub for DU's prairie conservation efforts, advancing research, habitat restoration, landscape-scale protection, and partnership-driven conservation across the United States and Canada.
DU also recognized David (Dave) and Margaret (Marg) Grohne by naming the Grohne Coteau Ranch, a key property within the Center that serves as a living laboratory for wetland and grassland conservation.
Since 1969, Dave and Marg Grohne have supported DU’s conservation mission. Their impact has been felt throughout the Prairie Pothole Region and beyond, helping to protect and restore critical breeding habitat for North America's waterfowl and other wildlife. Their philanthropy has advanced conservation delivery on both public and private lands across the continent, strengthening efforts in landscapes ranging from the Boreal Forest to the Klamath Basin. Dave and Marg’s influence extends beyond the land itself, helping bring the story of the prairies to broader audiences through the 2023 film Wings Over Water and fostering greater appreciation for the habitats that sustain millions of migratory birds in the region each year.
A hallmark of their conservation leadership has been a focus on leverage, helping Ducks Unlimited access millions of dollars in additional support by providing the private match needed to unlock competitive public funding through sources such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant program. Their commitment conservation informed by science and strategic partnerships has expanded the scale and reach of Ducks Unlimited's work, particularly across the prairies.
"Dave and Marg Grohne have been steadfast champions of wetlands conservation and Ducks Unlimited's mission," said Putnam. “Their support has helped conserve some of the most important waterfowl habitat while inspiring others to invest in the future of conservation."
The Grohne Coteau Ranch will showcase conservation approaches that enhance wetland and grassland health while complementing productive agricultural operations, supporting scientific research, and sustaining healthy wildlife populations. It will also serve as a catalyst for donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition. Integrated into the prairie landscape at the Ranch, the “Wall of Honor” celebrates nearly 75 contributors from across North America, whose investments have advanced conservation throughout the region.
"The prairies are where the future of North America's waterfowl begins," said Dave Grohne. "For decades, Marg and I have been privileged to experience this remarkable landscape and the essential role it plays in sustaining the continent’s waterfowl populations. That experience has reinforced our belief that investing in prairie conservation is one of the most meaningful ways to support the future of wildlife and our sporting heritage. We are honored by this recognition and hope the Grohne Coteau Ranch serves as a lasting example of how conservation can benefit nature, working lands, and people for generations to come."
Together, the James C. Kennedy Center for Prairie Conservation and the Grohne Coteau Ranch represent a powerful legacy of conservation leadership. Their names will serve as enduring reminders that the future of North America's wetlands, waterfowl, and outdoor traditions is secured through the vision and generosity of those willing to invest in conservation for generations to come.
About Ducks Unlimited
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 conserved more than 20 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. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
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