MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Feb. 9, 2015 - The much-anticipated Sportsmen's Act of 2015 was introduced in the U.S. Senate last week, and included recommended funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) at $50 million a year through 2020.

"On behalf of the nearly 1 million supporters and volunteers of Ducks Unlimited located in every state across the country, we thank Senators Lisa Murkowski and Martin Heinrich for their bi-partisan leadership on behalf of our nation's sportsmen and women," said DU's Chief Policy Officer Margaret Everson. "Hunting, fishing and conservation are not partisan issues and Senators Murkowski and Heinrich, along with the leadership of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, are proof of that."

NAWCA restores and enhances wetland habitat that serves as vital breeding, migratory and wintering grounds for millions of waterfowl throughout their life cycle. With appropriate funding for this program, the public will benefit for years from healthy waterfowl populations and increased hunting opportunities. It is essential to America's waterfowl and waterfowl hunters that NAWCA be reauthorized this year.

Since 1990, more than 5,000 partners have completed more than 2,400 NAWCA projects resulting in the conservation of 27.5 million acres of habitat on the ground. Reflecting their commitment to these vital habitat projects, partners have contributed $2.7 billion in non-federal matching funds for the nearly $1.3 billion made available in federal grants.

"We're excited that the Sportsmen's Act has been introduced in the Senate," said DU CEO, Dale Hall. "Without the support of sportsmen and women across the country, conservation organizations like DU wouldn't have the broad-based backing to accomplish milestones that benefit not only wildlife, but people in general."

For more information, visit www.ducks.org.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 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. Connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.

Media Contact:
Matt Coffey
(901) 758-3764
mcoffey@ducks.org