MEMPHIS, Tenn. Sept. 23, 2021 Ducks Unlimited (DU) staffers Randy Meidinger and Tim Willis each received Ducks Unlimited Excellence in Conservation Career Achievement Awards for their ongoing conservation work for DU.

DUs Conservation Programs Committee (CPC) created the awards to recognize outstanding conservation accomplishments and the DU staff who made them possible. Thanks to the continued commitment of DUs staff, the organization reached an historic milestone this year, conserving more than 15 million acres since DU was founded in 1937.

Meidinger, DU regional biologist in South Dakota, has led the states Revolving Land Program for 18 years and is responsible for the protection of more than 35,000 acres of wetland and grassland habitat in DUs No. 1 priority area, the Prairie Pothole Region. He also works with local farmers and ranchers on private land conservation projects.

Im honored and humbled to receive such an esteemed award, Meidinger said. After more than two decades working with Team DU delivering on-the-ground habitat projects, my passion for the work I do is as strong as ever. Getting this award from DU leaders and volunteers makes it that much more gratifying.

Willis, DUs manager of conservation programs in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley with 22 years of combined professional experience with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), is leading DUs effort to conserve Arkansas legacy of waterfowling in flooded timber. DU and AFGC are improving bottomland hardwood wetlands on public lands in Arkansas wildlife management areas.

Its an honor to be recognized by the CPC, Willis said. Ive been fortunate to spend my career working with great co-workers and partners throughout the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Im particularly fortunate to be working with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission restoring the many historic green tree reservoirs throughout the state.

Any extraordinary accomplishment that supports DUs conservation mission of filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever is eligible for recognition. The 2021 awards were announced Sept. 9.

These awards recognize Ducks Unlimiteds exceptional conservation professionals and the work they do every day, said CPC Chair Dr. Christine Thomas. The awards were created to support morale, motivate our staff and convey the gratitude of DU supporters and volunteers.

Click here for a complete list of 2021 Ducks Unlimited Excellence in Conservation Award winners.

The greatest team of conservation professionals in the world work for Ducks Unlimited, DU CEO Adam Putnam said. These Excellence in Conservation Awards recognize Team DUs boots on the ground. The work these folks do enable DU to fill the skies with waterfowl and provide important benefits for people, their communities and other wildlife.

For more information visit www.ducks.org. Follow DUs news Twitter feed @DUNews1937 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 waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

Media Contact:

Gregg Powers

(901) 758-3774

gpowers@ducks.org