Ducks Unlimited has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office for wetland restoration work on Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land in Wake, Durham, and Granville counties. This is the eighth grant that DU has received through the attorney general's Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) Program.

"This project will improve water quality and restore wetland functions within the Neuse River Basin, a high-priority area under the EEG Program," said DU Director of Conservation Programs Craig LeSchack. "It will also enhance existing wildlife habitat and provide valuable recreational opportunities for the citizens of North Carolina."

Managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land is a 40,899-acre state game area surrounding Falls Lake reservoir. This game land is a popular public hunting area for Raleigh-Durham area waterfowlers. DU will partner with the NCWRC to restored five managed wetlands, which will provide improved habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, as well as enhanced public hunting opportunities.

The EEG Program is part of an agreement with Smithfield Foods Inc. Under this agreement, Smithfield and its subsidiary, Murphy Brown LLC, will provide $50 million over 25 years to the attorney general's office to improve the environment.