Nation’s leaders celebrate waterfowl hunting heritage with Ducks Unlimited
More than 40 Members of Congress attend DU’s annual Washington, DC dinner
May 01, 2025 •
2
min read
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 1, 2025 – Ducks Unlimited (DU) hosted the annual Capitol Hill Dinner and Auction in Washington, D.C. With more than 800 total guests in attendance, including Trump Administration officials, congressional staff, DU leadership, and more than 40 bipartisan Members of Congress, wetlands conservation was once again the focus of government leaders from across the United States.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA) opened the dinner. Rep. August Pfluger (TX) delivered the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rep. Mike Thompson (CA) (Photo album)
House Majority Leader, Rep. Steve Scalise, delivered the keynote address.
"Whether you’re an avid duck hunter or simply appreciate clean and abundant water, everyone has a reason to appreciate Ducks Unlimited’s work," said DU CEO Adam Putnam. "That’s especially true in the nation’s capital, where Members of Congress, Administration officials, and leaders from across the country recognize the unparalleled impact hunters have on conserving and restoring America’s natural places for future generations. The continued bipartisan enthusiasm for critical conservation programs like NAWCA is a testament to the popularity and effectiveness of DU's conservation mission, and we’re grateful for the support."
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) was enacted in 1989 and has become a pillar of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
NAWCA by the numbers:
• Conserved nearly 33 million acres
• Helped fund more than 3,300 projects in all 50 states
• More than 7,000 partners, including private landowners, industry, and state governments
• Leveraged almost $5.6 billion in private contributions from partners
In addition to providing habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, the wetlands conserved and restored through NAWCA also support communities by filtering water, replenishing groundwater, reducing coastal erosion, capturing and storing carbon, and providing recreational opportunities.
DU hosts the annual Capitol Hill Dinner and Auction every spring in our nation’s capital, welcoming Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and leaders of the current presidential administration, including from the White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of the Interior.
For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to Follow DU’s Twitter feeds – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.
Media Contact
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.
