Finding Her Flock: Nyleen Troxel Stowe Leads DU’s Conservation Mission in New Mexico

When Nyleen Troxel Stowe attended her first Ducks Unlimited event in 2005, it was in memory of a friend who changed her life. A year earlier, her coworker and friend John Taylor, a dedicated member of the Socorro, New Mexico, DU chapter, passed away unexpectedly from a stroke. As an organ donor, Taylor’s kidney and pancreas turned out to be a lifesaving match for Stowe. His selfless gift gave her a second chance at life and inspired her to become more deeply connected to the organization he had cared so much about.

In June of the following year, Stowe and her husband, Keith, attended a small DU gathering hosted by a regional director. That night, something clicked, and a spark was lit that would guide Stowe’s journey with Ducks Unlimited for years to come.

 “It was a way to remember John,” Stowe said. “And I’ve been involved ever since.”

Today, Stowe serves as the state chair of Ducks Unlimited in New Mexico, a role she assumed in 2021.

“The state chair called and asked if I’d take over. I jumped off the high dive feet first,” she said. “I worked closely with leadership to learn the role, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Though originally from Iowa, Stowe has called New Mexico home since the fourth grade, when her father’s job with the U.S. Forest Service brought the family west. She attended college in Socorro and never left. She and her husband now share their home with four cats and two dogs, a Labrador retriever and a border collie mix.

Her journey with Ducks Unlimited has been one of steady commitment. She became a member in 2003, attended her first event in 2004, and, by 2006, was serving as chapter secretary. In 2013, she stepped into the role of Socorro Chapter Chair. But it was her first national convention in New Orleans that cemented her passion for DU.

“After 53 years, I found my tribe,” she said.

As state chair, Stowe acknowledges the unique challenges of leading a conservation mission in a state where duck migration is more subtle than in other regions.

“One of the biggest questions I get is, ‘Where is the money spent?’ People don’t always realize how New Mexico fits into the larger flyway,” she explained. “This isn’t where ducks breed, but they pass through. We play a role in the bigger picture.”

Fortunately, partnerships with organizations like New Mexico Game and Fish have helped Ducks Unlimited gain more visibility across the state through outreach and education events.

When asked what impresses her most about DU, Stowe doesn’t hesitate.

“The way DU manages its finances is incredible; 85% of funds raised go directly onto the ground,” she said. “And the sheer number of volunteers who show up and do the work because they care. It’s inspiring.”

Looking ahead, Stowe is eager to welcome a new regional director to the state and expand DU’s impact in New Mexico. “We have some strong area chairs and great ideas for launching new chapters,” she said. “I’m excited to grow the membership and raise more funds for the ducks.”

Though not a hunter herself, Stowe sees DU’s mission as vital to all life.

“To me, Ducks Unlimited means wetland conservation. Wetlands are Mother Nature’s filters. They’re essential for ducks, for wildlife, for people,” she said. “You don’t have to be a duck hunter to be passionate about this work. We’re helping private landowners, clearing non-native vegetation, and making a difference. Where there’s agriculture and irrigation, there are ducks.”

And where there are ducks, you’ll find Nyleen. Committed, driven, and proud to be part of the DU family.