Louisiana Gulf Coast. Photo by Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 3, 2025 – Today, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to "Make America Beautiful Again." The order establishes a commission tasked with guiding the United States' conservation and environmental policy agenda.

"Since our founding in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has been working to Make America Beautiful Again," said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. "America will celebrate 250 years of freedom, including those cherished sporting traditions of hunting and fishing. Protecting that freedom for the next generation of outdoorsmen and women is a responsibility that we take very seriously, and we can’t achieve that goal without conserving and restoring North America’s wetlands and waterfowl habitat. We look forward to supporting this commission alongside our partners, and we thank President Trump for prioritizing wildlife, their habitats, and America’s hunters and anglers through this Executive Order."

Wetlands serve as essential habitats for a wide range of species, including waterfowl, fish, and various other wildlife. They offer valuable benefits to people, providing recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, and bird watching. Americans also benefit from wetlands through improved water quality, flood protection, and prevention of coastal erosion, contributing to the overall resilience of ecosystems and communities.

The Make America Beautiful Again Commission, established by the executive order, will develop policy strategies for seven national conservation priorities:

  • Protecting Water Resources
  • Restoring Forests and Natural Habitats
  • Reducing Waste and Pollution 
  • Recovering America’s Wildlife 
  • Enhancing Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation on Public Lands
  • Building Environmental Resilience and Security
  • Advancing Conservation Education and Global Leadership

"It’s an honor to lead this nonpartisan initiative with the White House," said Benji Backer, Founder and CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan. "Today is a great victory for the environment, but this is just the beginning. We look forward to bringing leaders and decision-makers across the political spectrum together to build the future of environmental policy and bolster America’s conservation legacy."

"For 150 years, and across all administrations, American Forests has worked to safeguard America’s National Forests and other public lands for the benefit of people, wildlife, and communities," said Jad Daley, President and CEO Emeritus of American Forests. "This is a pivotal moment for the future of our forests and lands, and today we're continuing this legacy of stewardship, from reforestation to recreation improvements, and collaborating with the administration and partners across the United States so we can ensure that Americans can continue to enjoy them for generations to come."

"President Trump’s Make America Beautiful Again executive order is an important rallying cry to reinvest in America’s natural heritage. From proper forest management to protecting our National Parks, conservation is a profoundly conservative value. On behalf of our 75,000 young members across the U.S., ACC looks forward to working with the White House and Congress to champion real, lasting conservation solutions," said Chris Barnard, American Conservation Coalition President. 

For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to follow DU’s Twitter feed – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from 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 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 comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
 

Media Contact:
Parker Williams
(202) 621-1646
pwilliams@ducks.org